A developer has asked Bedford Borough Council to decide whether a proposed development of up to 570 homes north of Clapham requires a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before an outline planning application is submitted.
Hallam Land has submitted a screening opinion request covering a 41.9-hectare site on the north-eastern edge of the village, between High Street, The Slade, Green Lane and The Baulk.
The proposed development would include up to 570 homes, including affordable housing, public open space, a new village green, landscaping, parking and associated infrastructure, together with the partial demolition, retention and conversion of existing agricultural barns for residential or commercial uses.
The submission says the proposed main vehicle accesses would be from The Slade and High Street, with an emergency access from Duke Drive and separate access to two smaller development parcels from The Baulk/Green Lane.
It also states that the current concept framework anticipates demolition of the former Star Public House to create an access from High Street, if this is required to provide suitable access to the development.
In the submission, the developer concludes the scheme is unlikely to have significant environmental effects and is therefore requesting a screening opinion confirming that an Environmental Statement will not be required.
The letter says technical work supporting any future planning application would include assessments covering transport, flooding, ecology, heritage, landscape, air quality, noise and biodiversity.
More information can be found on the council’s planning portal, reference 26/01131/EIASCR.
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
