Housing development in Cranfield countryside deferred amid environmental concerns
Approving a housing project in the open countryside at Cranfield is “so far off a local authority’s biodiversity duty that it could be in breach legally”, a meeting heard.
The comment came as the council debated applicant Hallam Land Management Limited’s scheme for up to 150 homes is located within the Forest of Marston Vale and outside the village settlement envelope, according to a report to Central Bedfordshire Council’s development management committee.
The company’s outline plans include ecological habitats, children’s play areas, amenity green space, an access and other works on land at the back of numbers two to 44, Crawley Road.
This site is “an irregular shaped parcel of paddock land” between Crawley Road and Bourne End Road, said the report.
Principal planning officer Caroline Macrdechian told the committee: “This application is accompanied by an illustrative master plan, which shows the potential layout for the site.
“A new access would be provided from Crawley Road, as well as a new pedestrian access,” she said.
“Plans for up to 222 homes and a GP surgery were refused in 2017. An appeal was lodged and dismissed, as it would cause unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the area.
“This differs with fewer homes, a reduced site area and no development to the west, without the surgery. Although outside the settlement envelope, the council can’t show a five-year housing land supply.
“It’s recognised the proposal will result in permanent change to the character of the area. But that harm is reduced by controlling property heights with a two-storey restriction and through appropriate landscaping.”
Chartered town planner at agent Marrons, for the applicant, David Fovargue explained: “A key feature is that this is a landscape-led master plan providing a clear green and attractive edge to the village, while reflecting a rural character.
“Hallam are dedicating four acres of land to the west to provide new habitats for wildlife. This is fundamentally different to what was proposed within the 2017 application.
“There are no technical or statutory objections from consultees. This site can make a contribution towards a five-year housing land supply.”
Independent Leighton Linslade West councillor Victoria Harvey warned: “The Forest of Marston Vale was a huge national project and it’s an environmentally, biodiversity-led regeneration.
“The principle it’s happening in the Forest of Marston Vale, but we can’t fulfil its aims seems to affect the sustainability. It appears (CBC) leisure has said ‘it’s okay there’s not enough green space in the development because you can use the Marston Thrift site of special scientific interest (SSSI)’.
“Our local nature recovery strategy highlights Marston Thrift. To decide a development hasn’t enough green space so we can trample all over a SSSI, which we should be preserving, risks that site to support this development.
“I’m finding we’re going so far off our biodiversity duty as a council that we could be in breach legally. I’d just like a response to that because I find this amazing.”
Ms Macrdechian replied: “We’re satisfied there’s sufficient space provided on site, and the ecologist hasn’t raised any issues.
“There are no concerns of further degradation of Marston Thrift, and there’s a network of footpaths through there keeping pedestrians on the paths.”
The committee deferred the application for a minimum of two cycles to establish what plans Anglian Water has for upgrading of the sewage treatment works at Marston Moretaine.