By planning for growth, we can look to bring the necessary facilities needed to support existing and new homes, such as schools, parks, shops, community facilities and roads. Ideally, facilities should be close enough to encourage walking and cycling and the use of public transport, to reduce the impact on the environment.
Small housing developments in and around existing villages and town centres can help to support the existing services by increasing demand and footfall, potentially preventing closures of well-loved facilities like shops and pubs and helping to support local schools.
The new Local Plan can help make facilities more accessible. It gives us more opportunities to provide new or improved sustainable routes to existing infrastructure, or by providing new infrastructure in more accessible locations. Having easy local access to services and amenities can help tackle some health and wellbeing issues caused by rural isolation, loneliness and inequality.
We understand that access to GPs and other health services is a significant concern for residents. Through the Local Plan we can make sure buildings are provided for health facilities. However, Central Bedfordshire Council cannot provide the GPs or other medical professionals, this is the responsibility of the local NHS (BLMK Integrated Care Board). We continue to discuss this with them and champion the need for more health provision in our area.
Your voice matters
- Tell us about your area - are there existing services and facilities that could benefit from more housing to support them?
- Growth can help to deliver new infrastructure. What types of services and facilities could be delivered by new growth where you live?
- Would you support new growth to help businesses in our town centres?
- What services or facilities should be within a 20 minute walk of new homes?