Case study
Great Barford, Bedford
500 homes promoted through the Neighbourhood Plan
The challenge
DevComms has been providing support for Vistry Group (formerly Countryside) over the past 5 years, to promote a site to the west of Great Barford through the Great Barford Neighbourhood Plan process for 500 units, in competition with many sites around the village.
Our approach
Over many years, DevComms developed an excellent rapport with key local politicians and productively engaged the local community, within the context of the Neighbourhood Plan process. This engagement has included: regular monthly meetings with the Great Barford Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group; site visits with key stakeholders; public exhibitions to talk to the local community; attendance at yearly Great Barford community fun days; mailings to the local community; a full website; and promotion of the site via ‘The Bugle’ local newspaper.
The outcome
Following extensive engagement the site to the west of Great Barford (which included land promoted by our clients Countryside and Axiom) was allocated within the Great Barford Neighbourhood Plan which was Made in 2022. Furthermore, Great Barford Parish Council formally endorsed the Design Code on 18th July 2023.
Following extensive public engagement and collaborative working with the Great Barford Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group, it is confirmed that the Millfield End Development Brief and Design Code Document has been endorsed by the Great Barford Parish Council.
