Policy information sourced from the Central Befordshire Local Plan

SE3: Holme Farm, Biggleswade

The land designated for Holme Farm, comprising of 78 hectares, incorporating 15 hectares for landscaping, environmental enhancements and sustainable access, as identified on the Policies Map, will provide new employment floorspace.

Development proposals will be permitted where they:

  1. Provide for up to 63 hectares of new employment land comprising up to 38ha of strategic warehousing and up to 25ha of local employment opportunities, including, where appropriate, ancillary uses;
  2. Deliver necessary improvements to the A1 and A1 roundabout providing appropriate access to the site;
  3. Provide a new footbridge and cycleway over the A1 providing access to the services and facilities within the Stratton Park employment and retail area opposite;
  4. Provide approximately 15 hectares of appropriate landscaping and contribute to the GI network, specifically in relation to the Biggleswade Green Wheel, including improvements to existing footpaths within the allocation providing greater pedestrian and cycle access between Biggleswade and the site via Windermere Drive;
  5. Provide opportunities for sustainable transport links to be determined through a Transport Assessment, including the provision of shuttle buses to serve the new development, in perpetuity, from the train station at regular intervals during the working week as well as during the weekend;
  6. Deliver strategic measures to reduce flood risk including the use of SUDS to attenuate and discharge surface water run-off at reduced rates and at least at a rate no greater than if the site were undeveloped and to reduce existing downstream risk. This may include consideration of off-site solutions;
  7. Do not prejudice the operation of the neighbouring wind farm;
  8. Protect mature woodland located within the site from development and enhance it by appropriate, sensitive landscaping;
  9. Incorporate the following specific mitigation measures to reduce visual impact and enhance landscaping
    • The retention of Category A and B trees and existing woodland located in the west of the area just outside the site allocation;
    • The need to maintain hedgerows where feasible and trees that have biodiversity potential;
    • The need to protect species as there are bats and several setts on the site, as well as great crested newts due to the ponds and ditches in proximity;
    • The provision of a landscape amenity area and ecological park with water feature;
    • Character features including a natural woodland edge extending from the existing area of woodland;
    • Landscape planting using native species;
    • A primary green link (centred on the Green Wheel) with improved surfacing connecting to a number of secondary green links which separate the phases of development;
    • Landscape focal points at the entrance to the scheme;
    • Boulevard planting along the estate roads and amenity planting along pedestrian routes and around areas of car parking;
    • Significant landscaping and open space around the southern boundary of the site adjacent to the A1 to provide a transition between the development and the adjoining countryside;
    • A landscape buffer between the A1 to screen views of the development; l. Have maximum building heights of 23m across the site; m. Give appropriate consideration to the topography of the site, with buildings with larger floorplates (and higher eaves) only being permitted on the lower lying land; and n. Give appropriate consideration to roof profiles, colours and materials, alongside opportunities for photovoltaics.

SE3 is in an area with a rich and varied historic environment, it is known to contain heritage assets with archaeological interest. SE3 also lies within the wider setting of designated heritage assets including the Wall and Gate Piers at the Pump House and Pump Masters House, Biggleswade (Grade II listed Building).

Any development at this site must ensure it accords with the Historic Environment policies of this Plan (HE1, HE2 and HE3) and the requirements of the NPPF. Any future development at SE3 must demonstrate that any negative impacts on the significance of the Wall and Gate Piers at the Pump House and Pump Masters House, including through development in their setting, have been avoided and if this is not possible, mitigated. Specific details regarding the siting, scale, colour and massing of the buildings and the landscaping scheme will be agreed through a site-specific Design Code.

A detailed ground water risk assessment will be required to demonstrate no adverse impact from polluting activities on groundwater sources. Proposals will be supported where it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Council, in consultation with the water undertaker, that pollution to existing groundwater sources can be avoided or suitably mitigated.

Development will be permitted in accordance with other relevant policies in the Development Plan and following the successful preparation of a masterplan which provides an exemplar design response to this unique gateway location; and An intrusive field evaluation and appropriate mitigation strategy for multi-period archaeological remains will be required before commencement of development.

For more information, please visit the Central Befordshire Local Plan