Houghton Regis News Desk

Plans for a new development at the DOG & DUCK in Parkside Drive have been given the go-ahead by Central Bedfordshire Council despite a Houghton Regis CBC councillor, David Jones, speaking against it, and despite 5 written objections.

The applicant now has permission to construct 12 x 1 bedroom flats arranged in 3 blocks of 2 storeys with parking and all ancillary works on the site of the old pub's car park. The works can start within the next three years before a new application has to be applied for.


To view details, go to http://j.mp/cbcplanning enter 14/03488 in the search box, and follow the links.

Objections by Cllr A. Winter here.

Post by Houghton Regis News Desk.

A revised plan (a) to provide fewer homes, and leave more open space for a green route is to go before the town's Planning and Licensing Committee on Monday evening (5th January 2015). The applicant site is a paddock behind the old Red Lion public house on Bedford Road, Houghton Regis. The number of proposed homes is reduced from 65 to 62 and more land would be left as open space.

Representatives of Hunter Page Planning are expected to attend the meeting and tell the local councillors, who previously objected to an earlier proposal, that there are "very special circumstances" for why their scheme should go ahead. And they will say that if the scheme doesn't go ahead, the site could remain in private hands, "and become overgrown and unmanaged".

The applicant has taken advice from a barrister QC who has concluded that "the [Central Bedfordshire] Council would be wrong to insist on rejecting the application solely on the basis of the Site's Green Bel…

Great Christmas Present for Hillborough Crescent shops and motorists visiting shops at Hillborough Crescent, Houghton Regis.
From today, 23rd Dec 2014, the Harvest Car Park is once again available for customers visiting the shops in Hillborough Crescent completely Free of Charge. 
Customers will be able to park in the available spaces for a maximum of 20 minutes with exception for clients who are visiting the Hairdressers (Lunatic Fringe) who will be given special permit as required.
There will be no Parking meter. Customers are strongly urged to observe the Terms and Conditions and not to abuse the free privileges, as there will still be penalty if the cars are left there for longer than necessary 
without valid reason or authority.
Kishor Patel said “I am pleased that the car parking facilities at Harvest Home have been re-instated for the customers who use the shops in Hillborough Crescent, it’s great to see local businesses working together to compete with supermarkets and out of town …

Find updates on Woodside Link. Look for #Woodsidelink on Facebook, or Twitter.

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23woodsidelink

Plans on the Woodside Link Scheme, as approved, are here: http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/searchresult.asp?appnumber=CB%2F14%2F04122

1. Follow discussion thread on here on 15 December 2014:
https://www.facebook.com/houghton.regis.news.desk/photos/a.398243747943.174062.290257647943/10152499774617944/?type=1&comment_id=10152506165767944&offset=0&total_comments=56&ref=notif&notif_t=photo_comment

2. Placed another discussion thread on here on 18 December 2014:
https://www.facebook.com/houghton.regis.news.desk/photos/a.398243747943.174062.290257647943/10152505778182944/


Discussion 1. Embeded here:

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Discussion 2. Embedded here:

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Do you have an idea for a business with potential to grow and flourish?
Are you ambitious and innovative?
Not sure how to take your idea forward?
B-Innovative is the course for you!
Starting Tuesday January 20th 2015 for 8 weeks

To receive your information pack and application form, please email:
b-innovative@beds.ac.uk

The deadline for the applications is 7th January 2015 at 5pm and we will let you know if you have been successful by 9th January 2015 at 5pm. More details at http://www.beds.ac.uk/knowledgehub/entrepreneurship/basics

Throughout the school holidays from 12th December 2014 to 6th January 2015, children are challenged to:
- borrow any three books you like from the library
(don't forget there are lots of suggestions for brilliant books on the Virtual Library website)
- hide away from the cold (and family) for a good read
- create or update your profile on the Summer Reading Challenge website
- when you've logged your third book, you’ll qualify for a virtual badge – and a secret video reward!

Watch this video of Cressida Cowell (author of How to Train Your Dragon) talking about the scheme.



There's more information for parents and carers on the Challenge Facebook page too.

A woman who admitted illegally claiming almost £115,000 in benefits over a seven-year period has escaped a jail term.

Carina Gibbs, 41, of Chiltern Road, Dunstable, falsely claimed to be single, when she was in fact living with her partner.

Yesterday (11 December) she returned to the dock at Luton Crown Court, having pleaded guilty to three charges of benefit fraud at the same court on 28 October.

The mother of five was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work, will have to pay a £100 victim surcharge and £250 towards the prosecution costs. She will also have to pay back all of the money which she has fraudulently claimed.

Gibbs was charged following a joint investigation between the council’s Revenues and Benefits team and the Department for Work and Pensions.

It revealed that despite claiming to be single, she had been living with her partner since 2 May 2006. During that period Gibbs claimed £114,882.80, which was made…

An independent body has heaped praise on Bedfordshire Police for the way it manages important information.
The force, which manages tens of thousands of pieces of information a year, is one of only two nationwide to receive the top ‘High Assurance’ rating from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) following an audit of the way it processes personal data.
It scrutinised processes for managing paper and electronic records of everything from crime reports to statements and controls to monitor the creation, maintenance, storage, movement, retention and destruction of personal data.
The audit also examined procedures for dealing with requests from the public to access their personal data and controls to ensure the sharing of personal data complies with the Data Protection Act.
The ICO was set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.
The audit report says: “The purpose of the audit is to provide an indepen…

Parents of children aged two to four in Central Bedfordshire are urged to ensure that their little ones are protected against flu this winter with a free nasal spray vaccine.
Last year there were more than 1,500 hospital admissions related to flu in Bedfordshire, and as many as 278 people across the county died from flu-related illness.
With young children considered ‘super spreaders’, as they come into contact with so many people – from nursery to their grandparents – parents are urged to get them vaccinated, with a free nasal vaccine spray available for all two to four year-olds.
Other groups of people, including pregnant women, pensioners and those with long-term health issues such as diabetes, heart disease or chronic respiratory conditions are also urged to get their free flu vaccination.
Pregnancy weakens the immune system and contracting flu during this period can affect the growth of the foetus and lead to a preterm or still birth. Receiving the flu vaccine during pregnancy will a…

Woodside Link
Some Applications are now in for the construction of the Woodside Link, being promoted by Central Bedfordshire Council. The plans can be viewed online. The Town Clerk is inviting members of the public to call in on Dec 16th to see them in the town council offices, and make comment. 
http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/searchresult.asp?appnumber=CB/14/04616 2014/04616/Full New three-way roundabout on Woodside Link route with associated footpaths, cycle ways, pedestrian and cycle crossing, drainage, lighting and landscaping. 2014/04617/Full New four way dual carriageway signalized junction   http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/searchresult.asp?appnumber=CB/14/04617 2014/04623/Full New four way roundabout with associated footpaths, cycle  http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/searchresult.asp?appnumber=CB/14/04623 2014/04621/Full New left in / out junction southbound carriage way, vehicular  http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/searchresult.asp?appnu…

Careful what you buy for Christmas!

Parents of children aged two to four in Central Bedfordshire are urged to ensure that their little ones are protected against flu this winter with a free nasal spray vaccine.
Last year there were more than 1,500 hospital admissions related to flu in Bedfordshire, and as many as 278 people across the county died from flu-related illness.
With young children considered ‘super spreaders’, as they come into contact with so many people – from nursery to their grandparents – parents are urged to get them vaccinated, with a free nasal vaccine spray available for all two to four year-olds.
Other groups of people, including pregnant women, pensioners and those with long-term health issues such as diabetes, heart disease or chronic respiratory conditions are also urged to get their free flu vaccination.
Pregnancy weakens the immune system and contracting flu during this period can affect the growth of the foetus and lead to a preterm or still birth. Receiving the flu vaccine during pregnancy will a…