85, Jack Goodchild, former Houghton Regis Mayor, dies

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Jack Goodchild, a former Houghton Regis Town mayor, and a former Bedfordshire County Councillor for Houghton Regis, passed away early yesterday morning. He was 85. For many years, to 2009, he was a personal trainer at the local sports centre. He suffered a stroke in May 2009 and had been cared for by his wife, Cllr Susan Goodchild ever since.


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Ashberry Homes New Showhome Open At Bidwell

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The doors to a new showhome have been opened at a housing development in Bidwell.
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A new independent panel which will advise Bedfordshire's Chief Constable has met for the first time.
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Bedfordshire Walking Festival is taking place this month so why not come along on one of the many walks available and explore the beautiful Bedfordshire countryside?
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·       4,200 self-employed people in South West Bedfordshire have received support through the second grants available through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
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Lidl Plans For 1.2million sq ft Regional Distribution Centre

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by Alan D Winter, Houghton Regis News Desk
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Angry Resident Wants Peace Back as Chalk Pit Tourism Takes Off

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By Alan Winter updated 27 May

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Parking for visitors and patients at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital will get a welcome boost by the end of the year, as work gets underway on a new four-level car park on the footprint of the existing Lewsey Road car park.
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Bidwell Heights - Go Ahead for New Build Despite Crime Concerns

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A development of 336 homes has been given the go ahead under delegated powers by Central Bedfordshire Council despite Bedfordshire Police having concerns that the layout would encourage crime.

The site is situated between the SSSI Houghton Regis Chalk Pit edge and Blue Waters woodland.




Bedfordshire Police Liaison Objected to the scheme, 'as it is considered that the proposed layout and design would present opportunities for crime'.

See planning layout - (pdf)

Another key concern came from Wildlife Trusts BCN who also drew attention to anti-social behaviour. Their concerns are listed as,

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Updated 2 March 2020

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(updated 14 June 2020)As part of the already approved outline development plans for the Lower Thorn area of Houghton Regis, detailed planning applications are now being submitted for a local centre. A decision for these applications is hoped for by mid-August 2020.
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Bedfordshire Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was robbed in Houghton Regis.
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Supermarket Responds to Criticism that Shelves & Fridges were Empty

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Morrisons supermarket in Houghton Regis has responded to complaints that fresh food stocks were depleted and freezers were empty. The complaints were made on a popular public Facebook Group.
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Houghton Regis local news, events, council news, going on in Houghton Regis and nearby villages, Bedfordshire, UK. Editor Alan Winter

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