I wish to express my concerns about Anglian Water’s ability to deliver water to North and Central Bedfordshire, even with likely investment and planning.
Read: MP demands answers from Anglian Water over persistent water leaks across Bedford Borough
Anglian Water even now says existing demand already exceeds sustainable supply. Is there just too much development happening in North Bedfordshire in the near future for our water supply to be safe?
Firstly, there is the nearby creation of a town, up to 40,000 houses, a town about the size of Bedford, up to 120,000 people, around Tempsford.
Read: Developer submits plans for 802-acre garden community near Tempsford
Next, we have Universal, with projected eight to 12 million visitors each year and 8,000 permanent staff. A lot of water is needed.
Read: New water plant, substation and EV hub planned for Universal Studios UK
Sewage – springs to mind here, and at Tempsford.
Read: Bedford’s Priory Sewage Plant upgrade ruled out until 2030
Last, but not least, is the projected massive Quest Park. So far barely publicised. Beyond the influence and control of Bedford Borough.
This will be at Stewartby and will be four gigantic data centre installations. It will require, it is projected, between five and 10 million litres of water each day. Not with standing electricity needs.
Read: Fears for local wildlife as £9.5bn Stewartby data centre bypasses local council control
It’s all part of Bedford being the centre of the East/West corridor.
Include Cranfield University and Airport. They are a leading research centre.
Cranfield University proposes 1,800 new homes. Wharley End has 5,000 new homes planned. Milton Keynes will creep nearer Bedford. Then, all the extra Doctors, nurses, dentists.
How will Bedford Hospital cope without major expansion?
Read: CBC leader suggests Bedford Hospital be turned into housing if Tempsford New Town gets the go-ahead
I suspect some people are already buying properties for holiday rentals. They should stop first and look at all the new, but very late-in-the-day, probable legislation in the pipeline.
The Government is very actively looking at regulation to cap the number of Airbnbs.
This will involve higher council tax, business rates, tourist taxes, empty property taxes, higher VAT, and limiting the number of Airbnbs regionally, too. Is Bedford Borough Council looking very closely at this?
Read: Anglian Water refuses to face questions over four-year Kempston leak losing 540 litres an hour
Trying to be realistic, and not pessimistic. (Even if Airbnb takes over and our grandchildren have nowhere to live.)
Castle Road area will be affected. Just thinking of our grandkids and their future happiness.
Richard Gilbert,
Castle Road
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