Lib Dems Warn Against Urban Sprawl Following Publication of Borough Development Proposals

5.42.18pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 15th Oct 2008

Following last week's publication of the full list of proposals for sites to be allocated for development across Bedford Borough between now and 2021, Liberal Democrats have warned against the danger of urban sprawl and the destruction of more green space.

Commenting on the consequences for the local area should the proposals get the green light from the Council, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Brickhill Ward Charles Royden said: "This would just mean Bedford sprawled out into all the villages. It would change the whole character of Bedford and north Bedfordshire for the worse.'

"Any development needs to be done for the benefit of people who live there, not for landowners to maximise their profits. The quality of life is far more important than some mad dash for cash.'

"Every development has to be sustainable and thought out. You don't do it like this, by destroying whole villages."

Commenting further on the list of proposals, Cllr Royden said: "This would remove all the green spaces that help to define Bedfordshire and make it a pleasant place to live. The council has already been negligent in the plan to build on land owned by the council, now all the private landowners have followed the lead. When you talk about building an extra 600 homes on land at the top of Cleat Hill in Ravensden, you have to think what that will do to a village."