Councillors defy officers in bid to block 149-home development in Wilstead
A housing scheme in Wilstead has suffered a setback after councillors went against planning advice and voted “minded to refuse” an application for up to 149 homes on farmland off Bedford Road.
Bedford Borough Council planning officers recommended the outline application for approval to yesterday’s Planning Committee (November 10) arguing that the borough’s lack of a five-year housing land supply meant national policy tilted the balance in favour of new development.
They said the benefits, including 30 per cent affordable housing and financial contributions through a Section 106 agreement, outweighed the identified harms.
But after a lengthy public session, councillors disagreed.
Ward councillor Graeme Coombes (Conservative) told the committee that the proposal would “destroy the individual and unique identity of Wilstead”, and replace open countryside with “urban sprawl”.
Fellow ward councillor Marc Frost (Conservative) warned that approving the development would “make a mockery of local democracy”.
Wilstead Parish Council’s representative told the committee: “[Any] plans need to be well designed and thought through for all local needs. This would be sustainable development – not just some developer with generic policies dumping on any village where there are a few acres of available farmland.”
Michael Robinson, the applicant’s agent, said: “As with all residential proposals, there is a balance to be undertaken.
“[Council] officers consider the balance lies firmly in favour of the grant of planning permission and I would respectfully endorse this approach to you this evening.”
Adding that the developers are “absolutely committed” to working with the local community.
After debate, the committee voted, following legal guidance, to signal its intention to refuse the application and asked officers to draw up detailed reasons.
The decision will return to committee next month.