Dear editor,
I represent residents in the area affected by Grace Community Church’s proposals for building on land by Cemetery Road in Kempston.
These proposals were controversial from the start. The area concerned is a valued open space enjoyed by countless residents, and it’s on the flood plain, next to properties that are subject to flooding.
At a packed public meeting back in 2021 I appealed to Grace not to proceed with their project, saying, “I can envisage that the planning process… will turn into an almighty battle that would divide the community and I would say to the church, is that what you want?”
But my appeal fell on deaf ears; Grace proceeded with a planning application and it has indeed divided the community.
Since the application was made in February there have been nearly four hundred written objections and many informal representations.
Local flooding has continued, become more frequent, and more acute – the latest event making national news by blocking the A421. In Kempston West, some homes were flooded and residents evacuated.
- Read: Five flood warnings for Bedford with fears of ‘more to come’ if planners approve floodplain developments
- Read: National Highways say they’re taking A421 flooding seriously as local councillor calls it “national disgrace”
The overwhelming feeling is that if Grace wishes to build a permanent home for their church, that’s fine, but don’t put it on a flood plain.
However, the application isn’t just to build a church.
There’s to be a large housing development too. Additional houses by Cemetery Road are not required by the Government and they are not included in Bedford Borough’s Local Plan. The applicant proposes them purely as an ‘enabling development’.
Grace’s planning application styles the proposed church as a ‘community hub’ available to residents for various charitable activities.
According to the application, the ‘need’ for such a hub requires cash from house sales to help ‘enable’ an asset with community value.
This is all very puzzling because Kempston is already blessed with numerous churches, charities and community organisations that have, for generations, looked after the poor and vulnerable, worked with families or older people and provided a vast range of community activities.
Residents don’t see the ‘need’ for others to provide a ‘community hub’ in an area that already has a vibrant community. And hence, no need for houses to raise cash.
Residents are also frustrated by the length of time that the application is taking.
The application has repeatedly been rejected by statutory consultees and Grace has been given additional time to modify their proposals.
The reason for the latest extension, to the end of January 2025 has made residents quite angry.
The developers have claimed that given the cost of their project, they will be unable to include any affordable housing as part of it.
However, the Council has a policy of requiring 30% of newly built housing to be affordable. They therefore need to employ specialist viability consultants to check the developer’s costings, which will take some time.
Regardless of how the viability assessment turns out, the idea that this church should attempt to avoid including social housing is outrageous beyond belief.
So, battle lines are being drawn up for a Planning Committee meeting sometime early next year, and I’ll be there to represent local residents. But I say again to the Grace Church, is this what you really wanted?
Cllr James Valentine,
Labour Borough Councillor, Kempston West.
Editor’s note: Cllr Valentine writes this letter as ward councillor for Kempston West. It is not written on behalf of the Council’s Labour Group nor are they responsible for the content.
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