Planning and Development - contact Tony Talbot on 01234 762601 or tony.talbot@marstonvale.org

The Forest of Marston Vale aims to maximise the benefits for environmental regeneration and the local community from development which is planned in the Marston Vale and surrounding area. The Forest is consulted on development briefs and plans and the Forest's position is to remain generally neutral on development proposals.

In seeking benefits from development, the Forest's overall driver is to create quality green space in partnership with the local community that will result in us achieving our 30% woodland cover by 2030. The Planning Authorities and developers are key to this process and careful negotiation and understanding by all parties will result in the environmental regeneration of the Marston Vale.

An Eco-town in the Marston Vale?

The proposal to build an Eco-town in the Marston Vale has caused a whole load of controversy. A recent meeting at the Forest Centre attended by the Housing Minister, Caroline Flint, and our local MP, Nadine Dorries, was an opportunity for local people to make their views known. The Government’s principles of Eco-towns - carbon neutral communities, local jobs, sustainable transport and lots of green space - are the principles we believe all new development should aspire to. The large scale of the proposed Eco-town will however affect local communities and increase the pressure on the Vale’s roads, public transport, and other public facilities.

The Forest of Marston Vale is all about the regeneration of the Vale, working with developers, planners, local people, businesses and Government, to use trees and woodlands to repair a damaged landscape. Some people are concerned that an Eco-town would prevent the creation of the Forest of Marston Vale. The fact is that in common with all development in the Vale, it would need to play its part in the delivery of the aims and vision of the Forest.

The Marston Vale Trust, the charity behind the creation of the Forest, is neutral on development, including any Eco-town. If one should go ahead, the Forest Team will work with planners, developers and local people to make sure that its design incorporates the Forest’s aims and includes fantastic new woodlands and green space for the benefit of everyone in the Vale. Click here to read the Forest Team’s full response to the Government consultation on Eco-towns. An outline of the Eco-town proposal for the Vale is available for viewing at the Forest Centre.

Planning Policies

East of England Plan RRS14 - Policies ENV1 and ENV5

Bedfordshire County Council - Structure Plan Policies 16 & 17

Bedfordshire County Council - Minerals & Waste Plan Policy GE1

Bedford Borough Council - Local PLan Policies S5, NE21, NE22 & NE23

Mid Bedfordshire District Council - Local Plan Policies LSS4A, CS5 & CS6

How has this worked in practice?

There is a growing recognition amongst policy makers and developers that well planned development also requires quality ‘green infrastructure’ that creates a breathing space for new and existing communities to relax, enjoy and recreate in. Natural space for wildlife and people to thrive. The Government’s Sustainable Communities Plan has lead the way in setting the requirements for the creation of quality greenspace near to communities.

The Forest of Marston Vale has had success in negotiating with the Planning Authorities and Developers to fund the creation of new community woodlands in the Marston Vale as illustrated in the following case studies:

Residential developments

Site name	Site area	Number of dwellings	Contribution to Forest
Land West of Kempston	59.5 hectares	1200 by David Wilson Homes	30 year lease of 25 hectares of land to increase the area of Bedford's Green Gateway and a cash contribution of £356,000 for woodland creation
Land north and South of Fields Rd, Wootton	35 hectares	1000 (Old Road Securities)	40 hectares of new community woodland created (Berry Wood) - created in 1996
Land East of Marston Moretaine	26.7 hectares	480 (O&H Properties)	240 hectares for the creation of the Millennium Country Park - created in 1999/2000
Land at Stewartby	12.85	600 (O&H Properties)	240 hectares for the creation of the Millennium Country Park - created in 1999/2000
Land off Marston Rd, Lidlington	8.1 hectares	72 by David Wilson Homes	£70,000 for the delivery of community woodland on 3 hectares of land leased for 30 years - Planted by the local community on 3/12/06
RAF Cardington	42.2 hectares	970 dwellings by Bellway Homes	£45,000 contribution towards the creation of off-site community woodland
Home Farm, Cranfield	16.5 hectares	388 dwellings by Persimmon Homes	Currently under negotiation
Lower Shelton farm	0.6 hectares	20 homes	£15,000 contribution towards offsite woodland creation at Rectory Farm, Cranfield - delivered natural regeneration scheme at Strawberry Hill, Cranfield in 2005.
3, High Street, Houghton Conquest	0.38 hectares	11 dwellings	£9,900 contribution towards offsite woodland creation
Leathern Bottel, Cranfield	0.61 hectares	22 dwellings by Bloor Homes Ltd.	£18,900 contribution towards offsite woodland creation at Rectory Farm, Cranfield

Commercial Developments

Site name	Site area	Development	Contribution to Forest
Marsh Leys distribution centre	31 hectares	3 logistics distribution centres for Asda, Argos and Woolworths	£65,000 to deliver community woodland on 8 hectares of land leased for 125 years (created in 2001/02) and an additional 11 hectares of land gifted for future woodland creation - to be planted in February 2007 and known as Wiles Wood.
Kempston Hardwick	11 hectares	British Car Auctions Site	£70,000 for the creation of 4 hectares of new community woodland - used to create The Kill at Kempston Wood End in December 2006.

Minerals & Waste Applications

Site name	Site area	Proposal	Contribution to Forest
Elstow Rail Head	0.9 hectares	Installation of a new coated road stone plant by Lafarge	£10,894 towards offsite woodland creation - contributed towards the creation of Conquest Community Woodland in 2004
Green Lane, Stewartby	2.5 hectares	To make current temporary waste transfer site permanent	£43,415 contribution towards woodland creation in Bedford's Green Gateway
Brogborough Landfill Site	70 hectares	to extend life of site from 01/08 to 12/08 Refused by Planning Inspectorate 18/12/06	£200,000 contribution plus additional 9 hectares of planting on site as part of amended restoration scheme