BASE HEADER

No

ID sylw: 103806

Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025

Ymatebydd: Mr Scott Haberton

Bidford has a deficit of facilities, and is one of the fastest growing settlements in warwickshire. 46% over 20 years.
It has poor infrastructure, limited schools in the area, and is becoming more and more deprived of culture.

If developed it needs to be sensitively, or brought up to proper specification. It cannot be the bigger brother of Alcester with zero facilties.

[Additional comments via email]:
Over the past twenty years, Bidford-on-Avon has nearly doubled in size. This rapid growth has highlighted both our limited infrastructure (schools, healthcare, transport) and our minimal local employment and retail opportunities. At the same time, our community is known for its quiet, rural character—an identity I feel we should maintain, even as we expand. In my view, new development need not be solely residential; it can also bring in shops, workplaces, and services if we plan carefully.

1. Balancing Infrastructure and Housing

· Schools: I believe any major housing development should include clear commitments toward local school capacity—whether through direct financial contributions or the creation/expansion of facilities. We must ensure children aren’t forced to travel long distances for secondary education.

2. Fostering Retail and Employment

· Retail Revitalization: I support the idea of including retail space in certain housing projects or encouraging new shops in the village centre. This would boost footfall and local spending.

· Light Industry and Offices: If we identify areas near the A46 corridor for carefully planned commercial or light industrial use, we can reduce commuting distances and create local jobs—enhancing Bidford’s economic resilience.

3. Transport and Connectivity

· Footpath Mandate: A topic I’m personally passionate about is requiring new and improved footpaths in every development. Planned, Continuous, well-maintained footpaths encourage walking, reduce congestion, and reinforce our village’s friendly character.

4. Preserving Bidford’s Identity

· Green Corridors: I believe developers should allocate green spaces, parks, and wildlife corridors in new estates—helping us remain a “quiet place with a nice environment” while welcoming growth.

· Design Standards: Period styling, or at least thoughtful architecture, can complement Bidford’s heritage. I recommend ensuring that new builds blend with our existing village aesthetic, thereby preserving the charm that defines our community.

5. Phased and Enforceable Development

· Infrastructure First: To prevent the pitfalls we’ve seen elsewhere, I suggest that housing occupancy be tied to specific milestones (e.g., new classrooms built, GP capacity increased, footpaths completed).

· Clear Oversight: I would welcome regular reviews, so that each development phase meets its obligations before progressing. This helps protect our existing residents from sudden, unplanned strains on local services.


Conclusion

I believe we can preserve Bidford-on-Avon’s quiet environment while seizing the opportunities that come with careful, balanced development—expanding local retail, jobs, and infrastructure in a way that truly benefits our residents. Any future developments must be contingent on the phased deployment of facilities, to overcome our current deficit.