'We're sorry': Council approves controversial plans for over 300 homes near Renhold

A previous proposal for up to 400 homes at the site was refused by Bedford Borough Council in June 2020.

Undeterred – the Midlands-based land promoter resubmitted the plans in May, this time reducing the number of houses for the site between Hookhams Lane and Ravensden Road.

And at a meeting last Wednesday (October 21), the council’s planning committee reluctantly approved it with Cllr Jonathan Abbott even going as far as apologising to residents.

The outline planning application is for up to 330 homes on around 21 hectares of agricultural land between Hookhams Lane and Ravensden Road.

It will include a mix of housing (with 66 bungalows), 30% affordable homes (up to 99 dwellings), alongside open space, drainage infrastructure, footpath improvements and new vehicle access points.

Renhold Parish Council told the meeting it was very much against the plans as did resident Peter Norris.

He told members the development would “disrupt the established village character of Salph End”, setting a “bad precedent”.

And added: “It will set the scene for the decline of the parish of Renhold … with no distinction from the adjoining urban area of Bedford.”

Ward Cllr Nicky Gribble – also representing Renhold Parish Council – said it felt it was between a rock and hard place in terms of housing targets for the area and wanted the village to be safeguarded as much as possible, with a guarantee on traffic calming measures.

She also personally felt the development was excessive for the location, would change the character of the village and create “an unacceptable highways safety risk”.

Cllr Bernadette Russell – representing Ravensden Parish Council – was also concerned about the current volume of traffic which already comes via Hookhams Lane.

But Wates Manor Oak told members applications like this needed to be positively considered in light of central government housing targets as well as the up-and-coming Universal resort – and that it would put forward £200,000 for traffic calming.

The agent added two housebuilders had expressed an interest in delivering the site and work could start as early as 2028 and be completed by 2032.

But Cllr Cllr Dylan Simmons told members he felt forced to approve the application “with regret”.

He said the advice from central government to promote more housebuilding is preventing councillors from doing their job properly by representing residents.

Following the unanimous vote to accept the plans, committee chair Cllr Abbott said: “All I can at this point is apologise to residents of Renhold and residents of Ravensden. I don’t think this has given any pleasure to any member of this committee.”