Lib Dems Attack Council's £1.2 million Subsidy for Private Development

10.15.27am GMT Mon 5th Feb 2007

Bedford Lib Dems want to see investment in energy efficiency schemes for Council buildings and affordable rented housing, not million-pound subsidies for private developments

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have reacted with astonishment to the Council's plans to spend £1.2 million on a Ground Source Heat Pump at a private development in Bedford Town Centre rather than on energy efficiency improvements at council buildings or affordable rented housing.

The heat pump will reduce the energy bills of the owners of the apartments in the Riverside Square development, but the cost of the pump will be borne solely by council taxpayers. On Monday Councillors will vote on the proposal, which would see £1.2 million spent from the council's capital funding on the scheme, at a meeting of the Full Council.

Commenting on the issue, Liberal Democrat Cllr. David Sawyer said:

"First the Mayor and his Cabinet neglect to insist upon high environmental standards for this development, now they concede that they are necessary, but are trying to force local taxpayers to pay for them. As with many energy efficiency measures, a ground source heat pump involves an initial outlay, but this can be recovered in time through lower energy bills.'

"Whilst we welcome the proposal to install the heat pump, we so no reason whatsoever why this investment in a top of the range development should be paid for by public funds. We accept that, if public finance is not available, the developers would want to recover their additional investment. But, if the benefits are properly explained, we believe that property buyers would be prepared to make this investment themselves.'

"Rather than subsidising a private development, surely it would be better for the funds to be invested in similar initiatives in Council buildings or affordable rented housing."