Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Contents
1 Introduction 3
Context 3
PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE 11
3 Highways and other transport related 11
infrastructure
Highway Schemes 12
Public transport 16
Public realm 19
4 Waste 19
5 Emergency Services 20
6 Utilities 21
8 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE 31
2
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Purpose of this document
1.1 This Infrastructure Project Plan was prepared to support the development of a
Community Infrastructure Levy for the borough. The purpose of this document is to
demonstrate whether there is a significant funding gap between the infrastructure
required and the funding available in order to support the councils emerging
Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule. The document draws together
information from various sources to demonstrate the range of infrastructure
required to deliver the scale of growth in the councils development strategy as set
out in the Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan adopted 2008, focussing on the
period to 2021. The project plan includes schemes to be delivered by mechanisms
other than by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
1.2 This document looks wider than the councils programme for spending on
infrastructure. It is not the purpose or the role of this document to prioritise or
identify infrastructure projects that may be funded partly or wholly through CIL
monies in the future. It is not a definitive list of the infrastructure items to which CIL
will contribute. The CIL regime does not limit CIL spending to the items in the
evidence base that is used to support the level of the charge in the charging
schedule. Authorities can respond to changing local circumstances, such as
changes in infrastructure requirements or funding sources by spending finance
collected through the levy on different projects from those identified during the rate
setting process. The councils Regulation 123 short list of infrastructure items for
which CIL will be sought and used under the Community Infrastructure Levy
Regulations 2010, will be prepared and published on the website at a later date.
1.3 The costs included and funding sources mentioned are also not set in stone. They
are the best information available at this time. It is likely that these will change as
schemes are refined and progress through their planning and design stages.
The Context
1.5 The councils estimated population at the 2001 Census was 147,911, of which just
over 100,000 live in the urban areas of Bedford and Kempston. There is, however,
also a large rural hinterland. Figures recently released for the 2011 census indicate
the population has grown to 157,479.
1.6 The Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan (CSRIP) adopted in 2008 was prepared
before there was a requirement introduced in Planning Policy Statement 12 (now
replaced by the National Policy Planning Framework issued in March 2012) for a
3
supporting infrastructure plan. PPS12 introduced the need for Core Strategy
documents to be supported by a plan comprising evidence of the physical, social
and green infrastructure needed to enable the amount of development proposed,
taking into account its type and distribution, and its funding and delivery
mechanisms.
1.7 However although no formal plan was prepared the extent of infrastructure
required to support the delivery of the growth in the CSRIP and regeneration of
Bedford Town Centre (as set out in the Area Action plan) has been identified
through various work undertaken and it is not therefore considered necessary to
undertake separate bespoke Infrastructure Planning work.
1.8 Strategic infrastructure proposals were included in the CSRIP, Town Centre Area
Action Plan and the emerging Allocations and Designations Plan local
development documents which have all been subject to wide consultation.
1.9 A large proportion of the housing requirements to 2021 in the CSRIP was to be
delivered through the development of major sites that had already been allocated
and the infrastructure needs for these had already been assessed is association
with service providers and included in Development Briefs which were subject to
consultation before adoption. The resulting infrastructure needs were to be
delivered in association with the developments.
1.10 A northern Marston Vale growth area infrastructure study was carried out covering
the parts of Bedford Borough in the northern Marston Vale growth area and a small
area of Central Bedfordshire on behalf of Renaissance Bedford, the local delivery
vehicle by GVA Grimley in 2008, which generally endorsed the level of
infrastructure provision required to 2021.
1.11 The council prepared and approved an Infrastructure Delivery Programme in 2009
and a Local Investment Plan in November 2010 focussing on highway projects and
projects with economic dimensions in the 2011-15 period.
1.12 The Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan sets out the targets for housing and
employment provision during the period 2001-2021. The CSRIP seeks to achieve
the completion of 17,570 new homes, the creation of around 16,000 jobs and the
provision of up to 75 ha additional employment land over this period. The strategy
is for new housing and employment development to be focussed in the Growth
Area (Bedford, Kempston and the northern Marston Vale) with only limited growth
in the rural policy area i.e. the rest of the borough outside the Growth Area.
1.13 Planned housing provision in the rural policy area has already been delivered and
the number of new dwellings between now and 2011 in the rural policy area is
likely to be very limited. Some 4,345 out of the planned 16,270 dwellings to be
located in the Growth Area between 2001 and 2021 have been completed by 31
March 2011. The remaining housing target to be delivered by 2021 amounts to
11,925 dwellings. Most of these large sites were allocations in the Borough Local
Plan 2002 and many of them already have planning consent. The table and plans
on page 35-6 identify the location and commitments at 31.3.2011 which were
provided to the infrastructure providers when updating information for this
document :-
4
A. Major housing sites at 31.3.2011 with planning permission and subject to
planning obligations
There is also a range of mixed-use sites, which are identified in the Bedford Town
Centre Area Action Plan and collectively amount to 597 dwellings.
Site Dwellings
AD2 Wootton, Land at Hall End 50
AD3 Land at Old Ford End Road 10
AD4 Wixams northern expansion area 800 -1,000
AD5 South of Ford End Road 200
AD 6 Land east of Eastcotts Road 50
AD7 Dallas Road 122
AD9 Warwick Avenue 180
AD 19 Bedford Rd, Great Barford 50
5
Employment
1.13 The Bedford Employment Land Study (BELS) underpins the policies in the CSRIP.
Para 4.45 notes that BELS supports the need for an additional 75 ha of high quality
B1 space 2001-2021. Appendix F of the CSRIP sets out the quantitative position at
the time that the Plan was adopted. It shows that taking account of completions
and commitments, the council had capacity for approximately 45 ha of B1 space.
This left 30 ha to be allocated in the emerging Allocations and Designations Plan.
In order to provide flexibility in the recovering market, the emerging Allocations and
Designations Plan makes provision for an estimated 36 ha of B1 space in the plan
period as well as additional B2 and B8 space as part of mixed strategic
employment sites. This is in addition to other locations identified in the Bedford
Town Centre Area Action Plan, and Bedford Borough Local Plan 2002
1.14 Several employment sites allocated in the Borough Local Plan 2002 already have
planning consent. The table and plan identify the locations of the commitments:
Planned Developable
employment use area in ha
Land west of B530 B1/B2/B8 3.4
6
AD4 Wixams northern B1 employment use 5
expansion
AD10 Land at Medbury B1 31
Farm
AD11 Land at Bell Farm B1/B8 18
AD12 Marston Vale B1/B2 10
Innovation Park Phase 2
AD13 Land at Cardington B1/B2/B8 7
Cross
AD14 Manton Lane B2/B8 1.6
Reservoir
In conclusion
1.15 Planned housing development for the rural areas has already been achieved and
further development to 2021 will be very limited.
1.16 Strategic employment allocations are emerging and do not yet have planning
permission. Most major housing allocations already have planning consent which
has been granted subject to S106 Agreements that aim to address the identified
infrastructure needs arising from those developments. However there are further
allocations proposed in the emerging Allocations and Designations Plan and each
year a small number of sites may come forward through planning applications
outside the local planning process.
1.17 Not all major developments may be completed by 2021. Developments at the
Wixams, North of Bromham Road and phase 2 of the Innovation Park at Wootton
for example may continue to be delivered beyond the plan period. The emerging
Allocations and Designations Plan acknowledges that some of the employment
space may be delivered in the next plan period.
1.18 A plan showing all major allocations housing and also plan showing employment
areas are included as Appendix A.
.
7
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS SCHEDULE-
8
Wixams Station and associated S106/Network 23,200,000 To be funded by Gallaghers/Network Rail
car park Rail
Bedford Bus Station Improvements BBC 7,600,000 May be delivered by Bedford Borough council
Park and Ride site (northern) S106 1,100,000 First phase S106 may be included in Land North of
phase 1 Bromham Rd S106. Site shown on Bedford
Development Framework Proposals Map and CSRIP
key diagram.
Park and Ride site (northern) CIL 1,100,000 1,100,000 Site shown on Bedford Development Framework
phase 2 Proposals Map and CSRIP Key diagram.
Clapham Rd Bus Lane/Bus Priority CIL 1,850,000 1,850,000 To complement Park and Ride site
East-West Rail CIL 4,000,000 4,000,000 Programmed for delivery by 2019.Estimate only.
BBCs proportion of 30m not yet known and amount
will depend on Department for Transport agreement
Real Time Information CIL 250,000 250,000
Public Realm
High St Improvements CIL 1,800,000 1,800,000 In line with adopted strategy for High St.
Public realm town centre CIL 1,200,000 800,000
improvements
Flood Management
Flood Protection/Flood Risk CIL TBC TBC For implementation and future maintenance
Management measures and SuDS.
SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE
Education
Wixams secondary school S106/DfE 24,000,000 900 place secondary school needed to serve
Wixams. Largely unfunded.
Additional secondary school S106/DfE TBC TBC
capacity
New Primary Schools at Wixams, S106 TBC TBC To accommodate children from strategic housing
West Kempston, Wootton, Land sites.
north of Bromham Rd and
extension to Stewartby Lower
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
9
Green Wheel CIL 4,000,000 3,000,000 Part Cycle network, policy AD41 of the emerging
Allocations and Designations Plan for submission
Bedford Embankment/Mill CIL 1,500,000- 1,500,000 Supporting the Bedford Waterspace Strategy
Meadows 2,000,000
Sports Pitch Hub S106/CIL 750,000- 750,000 In line with boroughs Playing Pitch strategy
1,100,000
Bedford River Valley Park S106/CIL 1,500,000 750,000 Provisional estimates for draft plan.
North Marston Vale Access CIL 2,500,000 2,000,000 Aim of Rights of Way Improvement Plan
Network
Healthy Hubs CIL 800,000 - 500,000 In line with Public Health Strategy, draft Greenspace
1,000,000 Strategy.
BMX Skate/cyclepark CIL 250,000- 250,000 Destination facility for different wheeled sports
500,000
Bedford-Milton Keynes Waterway 5,000,000 5,000,000 Route shown in the emerging Allocations and
Park) Designations Plan for submission
Planting schemes in Forest of CIL 4,350,000 1,450,000 Funding gap for priority project in period to 2021
Marston Vale
Total 37,050,000
Note sums in table are rounded to nearest 50,000
10
2. INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING
2.1 Guidance on the extent of infrastructure planning work needed to support a CIL
Charging Schedule is contained within the Charge Setting and Charging Schedule
Procedures, DCLG (2010) document.
2.2 Information is needed on the infrastructure needed to support the CSRIP and the
cost of that infrastructure and sources of funding available. Paragraph 14 of the
Guidance makes clear that the main focus of infrastructure planning in relation to
the preparation a CIL Charging Schedule is to provide evidence of an aggregate
funding gap that demonstrates the need to levy CIL. The Government recognises
that there will be uncertainty in pinpointing other infrastructure funding sources,
particularly beyond the shortterm. The Guidance goes onto clarify at paragraph 15
that the role of the infrastructure planning evidence is not to provide absolute
upfront assurances as to how CIL will be spent, but to illustrate that an intended
CIL target is justifiable given local infrastructure need which is based on
appropriate evidence.
2.3 The plan focuses on the major schemes costing 100,000 + and these are
summarised in the schedule immediately before this section which outlines the
proposed schemes and justification.
PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
A428-A6 link
High St traffic reduction and restoration
Batts Ford Bridge
Prebend St relief road
2 pedestrian bridges across the river in town centre area
2 pedestrian bridges over the river elsewhere in Bedford
Sustrans /NCN route 51.
Bedford Cycle Network
Green Wheel
3.2 Some of these may not now be needed until the end of or beyond the plan period
owing to the slower than expected delivery of housing and employment sites, and
other infrastructure needs have been identified that are not shown on adopted
plans.
11
The following tables set out the envisaged infrastructure requirements to 2021.
HIGHWAY SCHEMES
12
Potential funding
gap
13
Project name (vi) Prebend St/ Midland Rd/ Ford End Rd junction
improvements
Brief description Currently a 4 arm roundabout located on a major north south
route through the town but with conflicting east to west
movements. Requires junction improvements including
signalisation.
Justification need The junction acts as the constraining factor for traffic travelling
or policy basis north/south to the west of the town. Improvement of the junction is
listed in the recommended strategy in the BTCTS. By 2021
delays will have increased above present levels. The Bedford
Borough traffic model (run in June 2012) supports the need for
improvement at this junction indicating that the worst delay is
seen on Ford End Rd. A scheme is needed that enables this
traffic to exit the junction.
Cost 771,000 (source: Atkins 2012).
Delivery Developer
Main Funding S106
Sources
Potential funding
gap
14
Cost In region of 20 m (source: BBC estimate)
Delivery BCC
Main Funding Not known.
Sources
Potential funding Suggest funding gap based on 10% total cost 2m.
gap
15
Main Funding S106
Sources
Potential funding -
gap
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
16
requirement in the adopted development brief for the settlement
1999, and is shown on the Core Strategy and Rural issues Plan (
CSRIP) 2008 key diagram.
It will provide a convenient alternative station for the area
including the additional growth south and west of Bedford, thus
relieving pressure and congestion around existing stations.
Cost 23,200,000 including car park (source: Gallagher/Network rail
estimate at 2008 prices)
Delivery Network Rail/Developer
Main Funding Major part by Gallaghers developers of the Wixams development
Sources and remainder Network Rail.
Potential funding -
gap
Delivery BBC
Potential funding May be delivered by the council
gap
17
Cost 1.1 m also+ need for subsidy in early years of operation.
(Source: based on cost of Elstow Park and Ride.)
Delivery BBC
Main Funding CIL
Sources
Potential funding 1,100,000
gap
Delivery BBC
Main Funding CIL
Sources
Potential funding 1,868,000
gap
Project name (vii) Real Time Information (RTI) for bus services
Brief description This is available in the town centre and some routes in the
Borough and this is being extended into the new development
sites as they are developed along with bus shelters to encourage
travel by public transport.
Justification need LTP3 Passenger Transport Strategy action task is to improve the
or policy basis use of technology for information, security and ticketing.
18
Allocation sites such as AD5 Land South Ford End Road and AD7
Dallas Road Kempston require provision of RTI.
Cost 250,000 ( 5,000 X 50 key locations) source: based on current
actual costs.
Delivery BBC
Main Funding CIL
Sources
Potential funding 250,000
gap
PUBLIC REALM
4.0 WASTE
4.1 The council currently operates one Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC)
located at Barkers Lane in Bedford. The site is made available for the disposal of
domestic waste and recyclables as part of the Authorities statutory obligations as a
waste disposal authority. The need for additional HWRC during the plan period
was identified in the Bedfordshire and Luton Minerals and Waste Local Plan 2005.
4.2 The current site serves residents living in Bedford and the south eastern fringes of
the Borough well, it is however harder to access for those on the west of the
19
Borough where much of the new development within the Borough will be
concentrated. A second site on the north/west of the Borough may be required,
but it is not clear if this will be in the period to 2021.
5.1 The maintenance and creation of safe, sustainable, liveable and mixed
communities is a fundamental element of national planning policy. Bedfordshire
Police is committed to fulfilling its role in the achievement of this.
5.2 The elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is responsible for ensuring the
Police tackle the issues which matter most, through the effective and smart
utilisation available funds and resources.
5.5 Bedfordshire Police and Police Authority have produced their 2012-16 Strategic
Plan and Annual Policing Plan 2012-13. However, with the continuation of
ambitious collaboration with Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire locally (and police
forces nationally on larger scale projects) its operational and estates strategies
remain under ongoing review to ensure achievement of stated objectives. The new
PCC will be considering the current plans and establishing a new Policing Plan for
2013/14 onwards. Until that time, Bedfordshire Police will follow the existing 2012-
2016 Strategic Plan.
5.6 Bedfordshire Police have recently made moves to centralise dedicated bases
towards the urban centres in Bedfordshire, but have not precluded the use of
shared community facilities to meet residents, representatives and businesses in
their own local environments. The use of centralised bases increases the reliability
on these shared partnership facilities in the community, especially for Police
Community Support Officers and the wider police family. Satellite shared
partnership facilities in the community, especially for Police Community Support
Officers and the wider police family remain on the agenda.
Fire and Rescue
20
5.7 The Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) Long Term Strategic
Direction 2007-Beyond aims to maximise the safety of our communities by
whatever means possible and deliver a modern well managed and effective fire
and rescue service of which we can all be proud. The service operates with strong
partnership working integrated across authority boundaries and works closely with
the other emergency services, health authorities and local authorities.
5.8 The service operates 14 fire stations in the BFRS area including 2 whole time
stations at Bedford (Barkers Lane) and at Kempston, together with 1 station at
Harrold on the retained duty system. The Combined Fire Authority, which covers
three local authority areas, delivers:
5.9 The Department for Communities and Local Government Fire and Rescue Service
National Framework 2008-11 requires Fire Authorities to:
5.10 Any development being considered would require provision of adequate water
supplies for effective firefighting. Existing Fire and Rescue Service funding may be
insufficient to meet the cost of providing fire hydrants in all new residential
developments across the districts, and BF&RS will be looking for developer
contributions towards their continuing provision in response to growth.
6.0 UTILITIES
6.1 Most of the utilities providers have their own arrangements for funding
infrastructure required by development. However occasionally more strategic
projects may require an element of public funding.
Broadband
21
6.2 Provision of a broadband to new homes and businesses is not a statutory
requirement. However, good service provision is vital to attracting inward
investment and supporting business needs and making new homes (and business
land and premises) sales easier and is increasingly important for the delivery of
and access to a range of public and commercial services. The Governments
immediate target is superfast (>24 Mbps) broadband access to a minimum of 90%
of premises with a minimum of a 2Mbps service for the remainder, but consumer
expectation is higher and business expectation considerably higher. Surveys,
national and local, are showing increasing demand for faster speeds.
6.3 Traditional copper wire cabling has limitations with both distance from cabinet or
exchange and the number of users sharing the infrastructure affect the service
level. Fibre optic cabling can overcome this limitation. Fibre-To-The-Cabinet
(FTTC) service is much better than full copper and direct Fibre-To-The-Premises
better still.
6.4 The main broadband providers in Bedford Borough are BT Openreach, using
mainly copper cabling but with increasing FTTC provision, and Virgin, largely using
the optical fibre network installed decades ago by NTL.
6.5 Both BT Openreach and Virgin are increasing their broadband speed delivery but
this is mainly for urban or large village communities. The council, working jointly
with Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes councils and with the support of the
Partnership Board is therefore accessing and matching Government funding,
provided through its broadband delivery arm (BDUK), to deliver a project to
achieve the target of 90% premises with superfast access and a minimum of 2
Mbps broadband for the remaining 10%. Rural areas are the main focus.
6.6 The current key broadband issue is therefore how to achieve in the reasonably
short term, eg by 2016 or thereabouts, the delivery of superfast broadband to
100% of premises in the Borough bearing in mind this would have a circa 170m
economic benefit for Bedford representing a massive 85:1 financial return on a
required circa 2.1m public investment (matched by the selected broadband
supplier), leaving aside extensive social and environmental benefits. The size of
any infrastructure gap will only become clear when the current investment projects
are completed.
Electricity
6.7 The structure of the privatised electricity market was established under the
Electricity Act 1989 and the Utilities Act 2000 - the market is regulated by the Office
of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) under pricing policies set by the Gas and
Electricity Markets Authority.
6.9 The Distribution Network Operator (DNO) for three of these areas, London, the
south east and the east of England, roughly from Littlehampton in Sussex to the
22
Wash, is UK Power Networks. A DNO is a natural monopoly licensed by OFGEM
to operate and maintain the electrical supply system under a strict price-based
regime, with funding levied from consumer bills. Current improvements being
delivered by UK Networks Power to serve the area include:
6.10 Additional capacity is planned at Eaton Socon Supergrid which will provide for the
long term network security of Bedford, St Neots, Huntingdon and Cambridge.The
132kV double circuit tower line from Sundon Grid to Bedford Grid has been
refurbished and strengthened to accommodate higher capacity conductors.
Construction of a new 90 MVA Grid station at Marston Moretaine, to serve the
Marston Vale, including Wixams, and to take load from Bedfords Grid Substation
in Kempston, thus freeing capacity for expansion in other areas of the town; and
construction of a new switching station at Cut Throat Lane to manage the load
between Sundon and Eaton Socon Superggrids. A new 24 MVA Primary
Substation (33/11kV), connected to the new Grid Substation at Marston Moretaine,
is to be built near the junction of the Western Bypass and the new A421 dual
carriageway. This will supply the West of Kempston, Biddenham Loop and Fields
Road developments.
6.11 The OFGEM regime presents challenges for connections to new development,
particularly multi-phase and multi-developer sites. DNOs are obliged to treat all
development as speculative, regardless of whether it is included in an adopted
Core Strategy, until a service contract is signed and to operate on a first user pays
basis, where the first developer to commit pays the whole cost of any new
infrastructure. Once the infrastructure is delivered, DNOs are obliged to offer any
spare capacity to the first developer that asks regardless of multi-phase site
intentions. To assist in resolving the situation, the 2009 EEDA Power Infrastructure
Study recommends:
6.12 With the major capacity upgrades programmed electricity infrastructure does not
present a barrier to growth. Most of the committed housing and employment
development will be served by the existing or planned infrastructure. Development
of local plan sites H13 Stewartby, H8 North of Bromham Road, Land off A428
Wyboston as well as the employment proposed allocation AD14 Manton Lane
Reservoir and AD15 Land West of Manton Lane may require additional developer-
funded reinforcement. As more specific electricity infrastructure is negotiated
directly with the developer, no electricity projects are included in this document.
Gas
23
6.13 The structure of the privatised gas market was established under the Gas Act 1986
and the Utilities Act 2000 - the market is regulated by the Office of Gas and
Electricity Markets, OFGEM, under pricing policies set by the Gas and Electricity
Markets Authority.
6.14 Gas is delivered from offshore production facilities to seven onshore terminals;
from these, the high pressure National Transmission System is operated by one
distribution company, National Grid, which comprises eight geographic Gas
Distribution Networks (GDNs). National Grid also owns and operates eight of the
twelve low pressure Local Distribution Zones (LDZs), including the East of
England. Each GDN and LDZ operates as a natural monopoly regulated by
OFGEM. Sales of gas to domestic and most commercial customers is via 20
supply companies, although there is provision for large user companies to deal
direct with the LDZ. For the purposes of this document, the focus is on network
infrastructure provided by distribution companies rather than the developers
infrastructure within a site.
6.16 It is understood that Bedford Borough does not require major capacity upgrade and
therefore gas infrastructure does not present a barrier to growth. As gas
infrastructure is negotiated directly with the developer, no gas projects are included
in this document.
6.17 The structure of the privatised water market was set by the Water Industry Act
1991, modified by the Water Act 2003, and it is regulated by the Office of the Water
Regulator, OFWAT. The licensed water and sewerage provider for this area is
Anglian Water Services (AWS). Although it is possible for an inset company to
provide services to a specified area such as a large housing site or large employer,
there are none operating in Bedford Borough and all services are provided by
AWS.
6.18 For the purposes of this document, the focus is on network infrastructure provided
by water and sewerage companies rather than the developers infrastructure within
a site.
6.19 A Water Cycle Study was prepared by the Bedford and Marston Vale Growth Area
for Bedford Borough and northern Central Bedfordshire in partnership between the
local authorities, the water industry and other relevant bodies. The Outline Study
2009, which assessed the infrastructure need for the area, provided part of the
evidence base for Anglian Waters business plan submission to OFWAT for Asset
Management Period 5, 2010-15. With the OFWAT determination 2010 (i.e.
business plan approval), funding is in place for a number of improvements,
including projects that remove barriers to growth.
6.20 As part of the Water Cycle Study, Anglian Water have undertaken an assessment
of the scale of infrastructure required at each of the waste water treatment sites
that may be affected by committed or allocated development. These include
Marston Moretaine Sewerage Treatment Works, Stewartby Sewage Treatment
24
Works and Bedford Sewage Treatment Works. At this stage Anglian Water have
no identified need for additional wastewater treatment sites outside their current
site boundaries.
6.21 However, Bedford Sewage Treatment Works is expected to reach capacity around
2015, depending on the rate of development. Anglian water has secured significant
investment in order to deliver upgrades at the Bedford Sewage Treatment Works
by March 2015. Marston Moretaine Sewerage Treatment Works is at capacity.
Located in Central Bedfordshire, the works serves a number of villages in the Vale,
both in Bedford Borough and in Central Bedfordshire. Expansion of the Marston
Moretaine Sewerage Treatment Works is constrained by its proximity to houses
and its water quality discharge limit (set by the Environment Agency) into the
Elstow Brook.
6.22 The Water Cycle Study identifies the Asset Management Planning (AMP) Process
and developer contributions as mechanism through which waste water
infrastructure and will be delivered. If additional waste water infrastructure
requirements arise, Anglian Water will apply for funding in the next AMP period,
AMP6 (2015-2020).
6.23 The impact of additional treated effluent on flood risk has also been assessed, but
increases in river flow are considered to be minimal and risks at Marston Moretaine
and Stewartby are calculated as low with no further action required.
6.24 Anglian Water also has responsibility to provide sufficient quantity and quality of
water, whilst minimising the impact on the environment. Anglian Waters
Water Resources Management Plan was published in 2010 and identifies a
number of activities that will ne needed to ensure the supply demand balance will
remain positive until 2034/35. Again, the WRMP process is funded through the
AMP.
6.25 The Water Cycle Study identifies a number of projects for inclusion in Anglian
Waters AMP6 2015-20 business plan, including upgrade of the Clapham Water
Treatment Works. In the longer term, a new water main from the River Trent to
London will pass to the west of the town and provide additional supply.
6.26 At present a list of infrastructure where CIL may be an appropriate source to plug
gaps cannot be identified. However, the Environment Agency is currently
investigating potential new infrastructure requirements. This is part of the UKs
responsibilities under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) to ensure that
there is no deterioration in water quality, and where possible, quality of inland
waters is improved. The process is in early stages, but upon completion Anglian
Water will provide information on identified WFD improvements.
Flood Management
6.27 Under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, flood risk management is
undergoing a period of transition. It is moving from responsibility previously shared
between Drainage Authority partners including the Environment Agency, upper tier
and unitary local authorities and Internal Drainage Boards, to the upper tier and
unitary local authorities taking responsibility as Lead Local Authorities.
6.28 Sustainable drainage is the practice of controlling surface water runoff as close to
its origin as possible, before it is discharged to a watercourse or sewer. The
provisions of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 will, when implemented,
25
require Sustainable Urban Drainage Schemes (SuDS) on all new developments
where practicable. SuDS proposals may be strategic or site specific and can be
designed for flood protection purposes, or to address the drainage needs of the
site. DEFRA guidance will be published on standards of construction and to clarify
arrangements for approval and adoption of SuDS by the SuDS Approving Body
(SAB).
6.29 As DEFRA is proposing to largely remove the ability to seek commuted sums from
developers for SuDS, and it is suggested that strategic SuDS schemes not part of,
or related to, specific new development(s) and the maintenance of SuDS could be
funded in part or whole through the Community Infrastructure Levy. Site related
SuDS may be required in association with planning permissions for a range of
developments, both those including new buildings or for engineering works that
affect the normal drainage patterns such as for road schemes for example.
However, where SuDS serve a single property a commuted sum for maintenance
may be required. Where the surface water system is provided to serve any
particular development, the construction costs should be fully funded by the
developer to the National Standards.
6.30 There are a number of Individual Property Protection Projects (IPPs) in Kempston,
Riseley, Roxton and Clapham, which seek to deliver local protection from flooding
and are identified in the Environment Agencys Medium-Term Plan (MTP). Funding
for these projects has been secured through the governments flood defence grant.
In addition, the MTP requires local contributions for all schemes to support
government grants.
26
7.0 SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE
Education
7.1 The council currently operates a three tier education system although some areas
of the Borough will be moving to a two tier system over the next few years. In
addition there is early years provision in the form of free standing nurseries or on
site for new schools.
7.2 The council currently has some 3 nursery schools, 48 lower schools, 4 primary
schools , 14 middle schools, 7 upper schools and 3 special schools. In addition a
secondary Free School has recently opened.
7.3 There is little spare capacity in the existing schools. This shortage is particularly
acute within the primary and lower schools. All the major residential allocations
over 500 dwellings are likely to have requirements for additional education
infrastructure which will be wholly or partly funded by S106 agreements.
7.4 In summary in addition to the expansion and relocation of the Shortstown school
which is currently under construction the additional provision is required
27
sources
Potential funding Not known
gap
Cost 6.6m for each 2 FE, 420 place primary school, and 1,000,000
for the school extension- 33.5 m (source: based on costs of 2 fe
schools currently being built.)
Further Education
7.5 There are also proposals by Bedford College to renew parts of its Cauldwell Street
Campus; and for the University of Bedfordshire to renew and expand its offer at the
Polhill Campus.
7.6 The existing provision of built indoor sports facilities such as sports halls and
swimming pools which have a high level of community access is described in the
Open Space, Sport and Recreation Study, November 2007 and forms part of the
evidence base of the emerging Allocations and Designations Plan.
7.7 There are a range of built sports facilities in the borough. These include swimming
pools some with associated gym and fitness facilities and other buildings for indoor
sports suitable for use for badminton, five-a side, volley ball, netball, table tennis
etc.
7.8 Based on the existing level of provision of council controlled provision / 1000
population a local provision standard - minimum of 15.62 sq.m/1000 sports hall
space, and 6.177 sq. m / 1000 population water space based space is proposed
and this is included in the emerging Allocations and Designations Plan as a
standard. Facilities are to be within 20 minutes travel time, walking in urban area,
drive time in rural areas.
Community Halls
7.9 The existing provision of village and community halls is described in the Open
Space, Sport and Recreation Study, November 2007.
28
7.10 In line with the current level of provision a recommended standard is proposed of
146sq.m hall/community space/1,000 population within 20 mins travel time
(walking in urban area, drive time in rural)
7.11 Whilst no existing specific deficit of community meeting halls have been identified
community halls or rooms are planned to be provided in association with new
developments of 1,000+ dwellings at Wixams x 3 , Great Denham, West
Kempston, Wootton and land North of Bromham Rd. These will provide a base for
local community groups, toddler groups etc..to meet to help the development of
new communities. Provision would be subject to there being a local parish council
or community group taking responsibility for running the facility without council
resources.
7.12 Provision should include main hall, small meeting room(s), kitchen, toilets, storage,
car parking and disabled provision.
Libraries
7.13 Across the borough residents, visitors and employees access a variety of library
and information services through the 5 static libraries and mobile library service.
7.14 The former county council considered that settlements of more than 6,000
population should have a static library in the contest of meeting the standard that
85% of population should be within 2 miles of a library. Provision was therefore
sought through S106 agreements when planning permission was granted for
those sites at the largest new development sites: Wixams (4,500 - 7000 dwellings)
which is likely to be located in Central Bedfordshire and Great Denham/West
Kempston (2750 dwellings) although the delivery model for this need to be
discussed. For example this could be run by the local community in association
with the village hall.
` Health
7.15 The government is currently reforming the health system in England. Key reforms
are laid out in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, which represents the most
extensive reorganisation of the National Health Service to date. The new system
involves a shift from Primary Care Trust led commissioning to General Practitioner
led commissioning. Legislative reforms abolish NHS primary care trusts (PCTs)
and Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs). In addition, commissioning or health care
funds are to be transferred from the abolished PCTs to clinical commissioning
groups (CCGs).
7.16 A Healthier Bedfordshire is NHS Bedfordshires five year plan, which sets out a
range of strategic priorities and objectives. The strategy is to move traditional
hospital based out patients services into district or local centres closer to the
population. This will allow the General Hospital to concentrate and develop a wider
range of more complex specialist services which will offer patients improved
choices and reduce the need of outside county area referrals.
7.17 NHS Bedfordshire identified their strategic locations where they wish to have a
strong presence and wants to control the level and standard of care and the
facilities the services are operated from. The priority locations in Bedford Borough
were identified as Bedford North/Town centre, Bedford South including station
quarter and other strategic locations, such as West Kempston, Great Denham,
29
Wootton and Wixams. The strategy is in the process of being revised by the
emerging CCG but is not expected to change fundamentally at this time.
SOCIAL CARE
Childrens Centres
7.20 There are currently some 15 childrens centres in the borough located in schools,
nurseries or free standing buildings providing wide range of services to children,
young people and their families.
7.21 There are also a number of day centres for people with disabilities and for elderly
people.
30
8.0 GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
8.1 Green Infrastructure is recognised as an essential component of delivering
sustainable growth. This was the driver behind the preparation of the overall Green
Infrastructure (GI) vision to 2021 in the Bedfordshire and Luton Strategic Green
Infrastructure Plan 2007 which taking into account guidance including standards for
provision looked at the overall strategy for the wider area and the Bedford Green
Infrastructure Plan 2009 (BGIP) which looks at the assets and opportunities in the
borough. The GI network proposed in the BGIP responds to the needs identified in
the plan for both existing residents and the planned growth - which was based on
an assessment of assets, (existing informal greenspace, natural greenspace, parks
and gardens, and areas biodiversity value) opportunities and needs for landscape,
biodiversity, heritage, access and open space.
8.3 The aim is to deliver this network over the GI Plan period to 2021 which is the
same as the timescale of the CSRIP; the six opportunity zones represent areas of
greatest multi-functionality and where there are significant opportunities for the
enhancement, creation and/or protection of green infrastructure assets A list of
priority projects for each zone are set out in the emerging Allocations and
Designations Plan. Key challenges to delivering this GI network are around
resourcing acquisitions and funding the long term maintenance of GI sites.
Delivery will vary for individual projects. Some projects will be delivered by
developer contributions, (for example on site provision of country parks in
association with major schemes), others through council mainstream budgets,
voluntary and community sector groups and other partner programmes.
8.4 The Bedford Borough Greenspace Strategy has been produced to provide the
council and all other public green space providers with a shared long term vision
and set of supporting aims and objectives for the provision of good quality,
inspirational public green space across the Borough over the period 2012-21. The
strategy covers the whole of the borough and focuses on publicly accessible public
green space types in public, voluntary & community and private sector ownership.
The strategy will be used to guide how public green space is planned, developed
and managed to meet the communitys needs, both now and in the future, and to
identify the associated public green space partnership opportunities and
investment priorities. The council invites other public green space providers to
adopt the strategy and to work as partners on its delivery. The document went out
for consultation in summer 2012 with subsequent adoption expected at the start of
2013. The action plan includes objectives to develop and implement the playing
pitch strategy, the rights of way improvement plan and to pursue opportunities to
develop the NCN 51 and the Bedford Green wheel.
8.5 The Playing Pitch Strategy for Bedford has been prepared focusing on the Bedford
and Kempston urban area. The purpose of the strategy is to identify and consider
the options available for future provision of pitch space for football and cricket,
based on information obtained during previous studies and a recent playing pitch
audit. The strategy will help to prioritise areas of improvement to improve capacity
31
and quality of facilities in the context of considering the current budget constraints
within the local authority.
8.6 In the borough urban parks, formal gardens and country parks provide a wide
range of facilities within them including play space, informal recreation and sport.
New country parks are proposed in association with planned development at
Freemans Common, Great Denham and in the future on land north of Bromham
Rd.
8.7 At Borough wide level some 47.68 ha of allotments is available which equates to
0.32 ha/1000 population. There is a high take up of allotments and little vacancy.
The priority for additional provision is the urban area and larger villages/key service
centres.
8.8 A range of greenspace projects are identified below which range from those
already identified with project plans existing such as the green wheel and Bedford
River Valley Park to more aspirational schemes such as Health Hubs initiative and
the BMX/Cycle park. Some project elements could be partially delivered through
grants, partner investment etc and this is partly addressed by the indication of a
funding gap. Where this is an unknown a funding gap of 75% is assumed i.e 25%
of costs may be able to be met from other sources with CIL meeting 75% of costs .
32
or policy basis iconic landscapes but the improvements will be a key element in
supporting the aims and initiatives arising from the Bedford
Waterspace Strategy (2011) which was commissioned jointly by
the council and Environment Agency
Cost T 1.5 to 2 million based on similar schemes.. Source : BBC
estimate
Delivery BBC
Potential funding 1.5 million
gap
33
Justification need Supported by the sustainable transport policy context, the location
or policy basis within the Forest of Marston Vale and it is a stated aim to review
and develop a (north Marston Vale) access plan in the councils
Rights of Way Improvement Plan.
Cost 2,500,000 source : BBC estimate based on costs associated
with Green Wheel and other strategic access schemes
Delivery BBC
Potential funding 2,000,000
gap
34
Waterway Trust.
Main funding First phases through S106 works sources for funding of 50m still
sources to be clarified but likely to be part developer part CIL.
Potential funding 5,000,000 in period to 2021
gap
35
36
37
Reference documents referred to
Cycle Network Background paper 2010 background paper for Allocations and
Designations Draft Plan.
38