CBC Approves Legal Challenge on Development Strategy #HRN2

A call for a Judicial Challenge of a Planning Inspector’s decision over Central Bedfordshire’s Development Strategy was approved by full Council last Thursday.

A Planning Inspector had ruled that Central Bedfordshire Council had not co-operated with neighbouring Luton Borough Council.

Full CBC Press Release

Comment by Alan D Winter

Special Constable Information Evenings

To inspire a new generation of Special Constables, a series of information evenings have been organised by Bedfordshire Police.

As well as learning about the rewards and responsibilities of the role, attendees can ask questions about the recruitment process and meet serving Special Constables.

For more details of the Special Constable information evenings, visit the events page.

Sessions start at 7.30pm and have been confirmed for the following dates:

• 24 March 2015 - Bury Park Community Centre, Dunstable Road, Luton (starting at 6:30pm)
• 13 April 2015 – Headquaters, Kempston
• 11 May 2015 – Barnfield College,  New Bedford Road, Luton
• 8 June 2015 – Headquaters, Kempston
• 13 July 2015 – Barnfield College,  New Bedford Road, Luton
• 11 August 2015 –Headquaters, Kempston
• 14 September 2015 – Barnfield College,  New Bedford Road, Luton
• 12 October 2015 – Headquaters, Kempston
• 9 November 2015 – Barnfield College,  New Bedford Road, Luton
• 14 December 2015 - Headquaters, Kempston

    

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Demolition Starts on Former Co-op Store #hrcoopbuild

Work has begun to remove the co-op building in Houghton Regis.

Central Bedfordshire Council are in the very early stages of planning for what comes next on their site. The total site covers the store footprint, the car park, the recycling bins, and Red House Court on about 4 hectares. It is thought the scheme may eventually include up to 170 accommodations for extra-care housing, retail units, heritage, and social facilities. 

The Council are currently having 83 accommodations built at Priory View, Church Street, Dunstable, on a 2 hectare site.

Nearby residents are not unduly concerned by the potential of being overlooked by new buildings, but have told HRND that they will look forward to (hopefully) the removal of adjacent sycamore trees and their self-seeding spores. 

More details and information about the scheme is not expected until June 2015.

Previous Co-op Houghton Regis News.

New Cycle Path Appears on Village Green

New path has appeared from Drury Lane leading towards the crossing at East End. Photo: A. Winter

A new tarmac path has today been installed from Drury Lane leading to the crossing at The Green. The path crosses land which is part of the Village Green, which the Houghton Regis Town Council are entrusted to look after.

Local resident, Hazel Keane, wrote on Facebook yesterday, "Well I could not believe my eyes when I walked past Drury Lane today. Who the devil has given authorisation for a non essential path to be put across our protected green."

Meanwhile, a notice on roadworks.org suggested that the work might be something to do with other travel related works that have been going on in the town. These have included:

• a two way route on a one way road for cyclists in Easthill (something that was approved, but has not been implemented), 
• pathway widening along Houghton Road to better facilitate the movement of students walking and travelling by cycle to All Saints school. 
• a new crossing on Sundon Road,  
• the re-making of pathways behind Hammersmith Close and through Bromley Gardens.

A roadworks notice appeared online suggesting that the works might be for a cyclepath

Local resident Deborah Hamill, said today, "There are people who passionately care about the grassed areas of the village green. We already have a path through to the crossing, why can't people use that. There is no need for another one."

Cllr Alan Winter asked the deputy Town Clerk, today, about the new path on the Village Green, but the clerk was unable to confirm that the Town Council were consulted.

Workmen add top surface. Photo: A. Winter

As workmen were laying down a top surface for the path, a message appeared on Facebook from the Town Council, saying, " Let it be known that the Town Council was not consulted regarding the installation of a path/cycle way on the corner of the Village Green. Officers are currently investigating the matter. Further updates will be provided.."

Update 14:45

HRND learnt from Travel Choices that this is "an approved Travel Choices scheme". Travel Choices is a three year project funded through the Government's Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LTSF) to support the economy of Dunstable, Houghton Regis and Leighton Buzzard by providing residents and businesses with an improved choice for local journeys reducing car use, cutting costs and improving health. Find out more from their website.

Post by Houghton Regis News Desk.