Every part of the country is supposed to have a Local Plan. It determines how the area will be developed:
- Where and which new roads will be created
- Rules for parking, bus lanes, one-way systems, etc.
- Where and what type of new houses will be built
- Where new shops, offices and factories will be built.
In short, it describes the future of the community and its economy.
New Local Plans are supposed to be produced at regular intervals. It is a long slow process, with constant consultations of interested Parties.
The Bedford Local Plan covers Wymington, Podington, Yelden and several other villages that are closer to Rushden than they are to Bedford.
Bedford’s Plan is highly relevant to residents in the Nene Herald area. It will affect the homes and lives of some local residents.
- Some houses on Rushden’s Greenacre Estate back onto the Bedford district.
- Some residents of the northern part of Bedford Borough visit Rushden and Wellingborough to shop, go to school, get health care etc. (E.g. many children from Wymington attend Rushden’s South End Infant and Junior schools.)
- Public services in the Nene Herald area therefore need sufficient capacity to cope with the demand from the villages in the northern part of the Bedford area.
- Many commuters from Rushden, Higham, Raunds and some of the villages drive down the A6 to Bedford to get trains to London. That section of the A6 is maintained by Bedford Borough Council and its future is determined by the Bedford Local Plan.
The draft Bedford Local Plan had been completed by Bedford Borough and, in line with the government’s approval process, it had been submitted to the government for “inspection”. (This is the process by which the Council’s Plan for its residents is turned into the Government’s Plan for the residents.)
Although the Bedford Local Plan had been in development for several years, it has now been abandoned. The government-appointed Inspector reported that the Plan had “no credible future”.
This was because a movie company, Universal Studios, has anounced plans to build a major theme park to the south of Bedford. The draft Plan did not adequately address its impact on the locality.
Additionally, the Inspector highlighted various unresolved highways issues, (some connected to the theme park).
A new draft Local Plan will now be produced for Bedford Borough. Any Councils in the Nene Herald area that are affected by the Plan will be consulted. They, in turn, will seek the opinions of the local residents.