Planning Concern — Ecology
The fields and hedgerows at this site act as vital wildlife corridors, connecting habitats across the wider Kempston Rural landscape. Large-scale development would fragment these habitats permanently.
The site and its immediate surroundings provide important habitat for a range of protected and priority species. Residents regularly observe:
Many of these species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Development must not proceed without legally compliant surveys and mitigation.
The highlighted land shows the full extent of the proposed development footprint. Every hectare of this site currently provides habitat, wildlife corridors, and natural drainage.
Replacing this with 420 homes, roads, and hardstanding would sever ecological connections that wildlife has used for generations.
Hedgerows are the backbone of rural biodiversity. They provide nesting sites, foraging routes, shelter, and migration corridors for dozens of species. The site contains mature hedgerows that would be removed or severely disrupted by development.
Once removed, hedgerows take 50–100 years to reach ecological maturity. Replanting is not equivalent replacement.
Since November 2023, all major developments must deliver a minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). This means the development must leave biodiversity in a measurably better state than before.
420 homes would introduce permanent artificial lighting and noise into what is currently dark, quiet countryside. This has severe impacts on nocturnal species — particularly bats, owls, and moths — that rely on dark corridors for navigation and foraging.
Light pollution is now recognised as a significant ecological harm. The NPPF requires development to minimise impacts on biodiversity — including indirect effects like lighting.
Ecological harm is a material planning consideration. Register your interest and help ensure the council demands proper surveys and genuine biodiversity net gain.
