Shock and Disappointment as Government gives Green Light for Urban Sprawl

4.11.42pm GMT Fri 27th Jul 2007

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats are shocked and disappointed that the government has given the green light to the building of a large housing development on open space between Bedford and Renhold

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have reacted with astonishment after the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government gave the go-ahead for a controversial housing development off Norse Road, overturning the decisions of both the Borough Council and the Planning Inspector.

Bedford Borough Council's Planning Committee, and then subsequently the Planning Inspector, recommended the rejection of an application for a development featuring 323 homes on land which sits between Bedford and the village of Renhold. The Government Minister has instead decided to disregard these views and approve the outline application for the development.

Commenting on the issue, Bedford Borough Liberal Democrat Group Leader and Putnoe Ward Cllr Michael Headley said:

"This is very bad news and is extremely disappointing. The Secretary of State has completely disregarded local concerns over this development. It represents a huge erosion of the open space between Bedford and Renhold. This is a shocking example of the government riding roughshod over locally-made decisions.'

"There is simply no need for this creeping urban sprawl . Other identified development sites will meet the need for new homes , while all this development will do is detract from any efforts to build on existing brownfield sites.'

"The open space which separates the town of Bedford from the rural villages is valued by residents across the borough. This particular area of countryside, however, will now be lost forever thanks to the Secretary of State's support for an unnecessary and unwanted development."