Residents demand environmental impact assessment for 400-home plan for Kempston
Objectors are calling on Bedford Borough Council to insist a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is needed for a proposed development of up to 400 homes on farmland.
The application for Gibraltar Corner in Kempston, which is currently before the council, is not a planning application for the housing scheme itself, but a screening opinion request under EIA regulations.
This determines whether any future planning application must be accompanied by a full environmental assessment.
However, comments made on the council’s planning portal argue that the proposal’s scale and rural location mean a full EIA is essential.
Flooding and drainage concerns featured prominently. Commentors reported existing surface-water flooding in the area, including drainage ditches that have previously overflowed.
Several warned that replacing open fields with hard surfaces would increase runoff and place further strain on drainage systems already “at capacity”.
Wildlife and loss of countryside were also major themes.
Regular sightings of foxes, bats, owls and hares on the land were described, and raised concerns about removal of hedgerows, trees and habitat corridors.
Many said the development would permanently erode the rural gap between Kempston and surrounding settlements.
Traffic and infrastructure pressures were also cited.
Objectors said nearby roads are already congested and narrow, making access difficult for large vehicles.
They warned that hundreds of additional homes would increase traffic, noise and air pollution, while schools, GP surgeries and water services were already struggling following recent housing growth in the area.
Another submission argued that the cumulative impact of multiple developments must be assessed together rather than individually.
Unlike a planning application, a screening opinion is not a formal public consultation stage. The council is not required to consult residents before issuing a screening opinion, although it may accept and consider representations submitted voluntarily.
Public consultation normally takes place later, if and when a full planning application is submitted.
At that stage, residents can comment on detailed plans and environmental reports.
If a full EIA is required, detailed environmental studies would accompany any future planning application.
More information can be found on the council’s planning portal, reference 25/02531/EIASCR.