Policy information sourced from the Central Befordshire Local Plan
SE1: Sundon Rail Freight Interchange (RFI)
The land designated for Sundon RFI as identified on the Policies Map, will provide a Rail Freight Interchange alongside new employment land.
Development proposals will be permitted where they:
- Provide an intermodal rail facility on approximately 5 hectares of the site;
- Provide for approximately 40 hectares of new employment land accommodating B8 warehousing and distribution uses;
- Are directly connected to M1 Junction 11a by the Integral Spur and M1-A6 Link Road;
- Provide a commensurate financial contribution to the essential delivery of the M1- A6 Link Road and the provision of the Integral Spur, connecting Sundon Road to the M1-A6 Link Road;
- Deliver a connection from the Integral Spur to the RFI;
- Deliver strategic tree planting along the western boundary, and throughout the site, to aid screening and contribute to a net gain in biodiversity;
- Enhance and manage the adjoining Sundon Chalk Pits CWS and Sundon Chalk Quarry SSSI to improve their ecological value and contribute to the GI network;
- Preserve and enhance heritage assets and their settings within and around the site;
- Provide an appropriate realignment of the Chiltern Way; and
- Provide opportunities for sustainable transport links to be determined through a Transport Assessment.
SE1 has the potential to contain heritage assets with archaeological interest; therefore the impact of any future development on sub-surface archaeological remains must be avoided, and if this is not possible, mitigated.
A site-specific Flood Risk Assessment will be required and a sequential approach to site layout will be encouraged, to steer development away from areas of flood risk on the site. Subject to the findings of the flood risk assessment the development shall deliver strategic measures to reduce flood risk, including the use of Sustainable Drainage methods.
Development will be permitted in accordance with other relevant policies in the Development Plan and following the successful preparation of a masterplan.
The on-site rail infrastructure and operational intermodal terminal should be constructed during the first phase of development. No more than 40,000sqm of warehousing shall be occupied until the rail connection, including signalling, sidings and locomotive run-round loop as required by Network Rail, has been constructed, commissioned and is available for use.
The Green Belt boundary follows the extent of the RFI and employment allocation. The CWS and SSSI will remain in the Green Belt.
For more information, please visit the Central Befordshire Local Plan