Plans for up to 93 homes in Bromham would occupy land wanted for a railway linking Bedford and the Universal Studios theme park to Northampton and further afield, says a transport group.
Applicant Kler Group Limited submitted outline proposals for the housing development, with an access, open space and other infrastructure works on land north of Lower Farm Road.
Bromham Parish Council opposes the project, the majority of which is outside the village settlement boundary and would result in a loss of ten acres of high quality agricultural land.
The British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) has also objected to the scheme, suggesting a rail option could provide access from Bedford to Birmingham by a direct train and reduce road journeys locally.
It warns of congestion into Bedford and increased traffic flows through the village, describing it as “not an isolated example of piecemeal development minus any new rail infrastructure”.
BRTA chief executive officer Richard Pill said: “As development abounds, traffic congestion looks set to grow with vehicles forced on to local roads that cannot accommodate much more.
“Rail travel is the answer to tackling this pattern, and we invite the public to make their views known to elected councillors and MPs.”
As a major residential development in the open countryside, beyond a settlement boundary, the proposal is contrary to the Local Plan and the Bromham Neighbourhood Plan, according to a report to the local authority’s planning committee.
But the plan is recommended for approval by planning officers as Bedford Borough Council cannot show a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites.
“These plans offer 30 per cent affordable properties (28 homes), as well as public open space and a play area,” said the report.
“The site is accessed via a track from Lower Farm Road, on which a new footway would be provided, while a crossing point would be installed on Oakley Road.
“Economic benefits would result within the village through new residents using local services and facilities, which would improve the overall viability of these businesses and of Bromham.”
A similar scheme was refused in 2017 and dismissed on appeal later that year. Another application in 2024 was withdrawn in May 2025.
Other concerns
Other parish council concerns are the loss of open countryside and poor highways and pedestrian access, which raise safety concerns, explained the report.
“It would result in the disappearance of ridge and furrow land defined as an undesignated heritage asset. A visual impact on the local landscape would result from the development of an open field.
“The location is considered unsustainable because of substandard footways and distances to key local services and facilities, such as the primary school, the main shop, a coffee shop and a bus stop with a regular service. These wouldn’t be considered to be within a reasonable walking and cycling distance.
“Given the scale of development proposed, there’d be little scope for much preservation of the well-preserved ridge and furrow earthworks, causing substantial harm.
“But, in line with a previous appeal decision for the site, this harm is moderated because of the asset having no more than a high local to low regional significance,” added the report.
“The planning balance shows the benefits of the development outweigh the adverse effects. As such, outline planning permission should be approved, subject to conditions and a Section 106 legal agreement.”
The committee is due to consider the project at its meeting today (Monday).
by Euan Duncan
Local Democracy Reporter
