Houghton Regis News Desk

At their meeting on Monday evening, Houghton Regis Town Councillors agreed a budget for 2015/16. An increase in expenditure for the year of £28,724 will be financed by a £10,550 increase in precept, plus the use of General Reserves of £18,174. The net outcome for council tax bills is that there will be no increase in the Town Council's portion of the Council Tax. Post by Houghton Regis News Desk .

Land North of Tennyson Avenue between 97 and 119, Tennyson Avenue, Houghton Regis. Application for erection of 6 no. 1 and 2 bed apartments, landscaping and parking. (Resubmission of CB/14/00858) Full Application - Refused by CBC, the Planning Appeal is now Dismissed. http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/showimage.asp?j=CB%2F14%2F02334&index=582264

Post by Houghton Regis News Desk .

Bedford Rd, with the meadow Taylor Wimpey wish to develop. Photos: A D Winter Revised documents submitted on behalf of a Taylor Wimpey development application list a number of traffic calming measures which are agreed in principle with the highway authority. 1. A new footway would be constructed on the eastern verge of Bedford Road between the site and start of the present footpath, requiring undergrowth and tree removal, and compensatory planting. 2. A raised platform pedestrian crossing positioned about 100m north of Bedford Rd/High Street junction. 3. A raised table at the Bidwell Hill/Bedford road junction. 4. Speed limit reminder signs activated by vehicles, located between Bidwell Hill and Roslyn Way. 5. A mini-roundabout to replace the existing tee-junction at Rosyln Way. 6. A raised pedestrian crossing between the Roslyn Way junction and the proposed entrance to the Taylor Wimpey development site. 7. The present 30/40mph zone limit on Bedford Road, on appro

Following the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, Belgium and around the world, senior counter-terror officers have warned of a ‘heightened’ concern around the potential risk to certain groups including those working in policing and members of the Jewish and Israeli community. This has been much publicised across the national media during the past few days. I am writing this as an open letter to ask all key leaders and people of influence across every faith in Bedfordshire, to join us in redoubling our efforts to wipe out any prejudice which could jeopardise the safety of those living in, working in, or visiting Bedfordshire. The vast majority of our communities wish to live in peace alongside neighbours of all faiths. A small few threaten this way of life and we must work together to identify these individuals, to challenge their rhetoric and to reject all forms of hate which risks compromising the safety of our communities. Bedfordshire is fortunate enough to have a richly divers

The Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Olly Martins, is considering increasing the amount of the council tax that goes towards policing by 48p a week for an average council tax Band D household – equivalent to 15.8% a year. An increase of 15.8% can only happen if supported by the public in a referendum. But it is only worth the cost of holding a referendum if the Commissioner can be reasonably confident of a positive result. That’s why it is vital that he hears your views. A 15.8% increase would pay for: An additional 100 police officers The re-introduction of police officers to neighbourhood policing Increased management of prolific offenders Extra resources to tackle emerging threats such as cybercrime & child sexual exploitation Early indications posted on OllyMartins Twitter feed from around Bedfordshire suggest that most neighbourhoods would be willing to pay more. CLICK HERE to start giving your view.

Speed cameras will be installed in #PoyntersRoad from next week. http://roadworks.org/?37715386 A Poynters Rd Action Group had petitioned Central Bedfordshire Council a year ago for 20mph limit : report ( http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/documents/s47076/TM%20REPORT%20-%20Poynters%20rd.pdf ) ) (see Facebook discussion : https://www.facebook.com/houghton.regis.news.desk/posts/10151880641942944 ) Luton on Sunday 4/Feb/2014 story: http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/Speed-cameras-introduced-Poynters-Road-Dunstable/story-21702964-detail/story.html

A reader sent in pictures of bikers marks that have churned up Parkside Recreation ground. In the following 36 hours lots of comments were received. Log in to Facebook to read. Post by Houghton Regis News Desk .

The empty pool in 2011. Photo: A D Winter. Houghton Regis Leisure Action Group have now completed the business they were set up for. On Monday of this week, HRLCAG Chair, Mrs Tracey McMahon, thanked a meeting of Houghton Regis Town Council's Community Services committee for the local Council's support. She said that £200 remaining in funds is to be returned to Houghton Regis Town Council, as part of the conditions of the Council awarding a grant to them, used to help fight to keep the Leisure facilities open. The Campaign was successful in bringing about the continuation of dry-side sporting facilities, and the reopening and refurbishment of the swimming pool at Houghton Regis Leisure Centre. The Centre had been threatened with withdrawal of funding, and therefore closure, by Central Bedfordshire Council. Local people got behind the campaign and the Leisure Centre is now under new management and is hugely more successful than it was before. The Leisure Centre is on

Police are appealing for witnesses after several pizza delivery drivers were robbed in Houghton Regis. Four incidents were reported in the Parkside Drive town during December, with a further incident taking place in November. In each of the incidents the delivery driver was approached by a group of youths who assaulted them before stealing the pizza. The incidents happened in: Kirton Way on 15 November; Dellmont Road on December 16; Houghton Road on December 20; Bromley Gardens on December 21 and in Kirton Way on December 29. Detective Constable Matt Shepherd, investigating, said: “These are very unpleasant incidents which have left the victims shaken up. “I would urge anyone with information about who is responsible to call police.” Anyone with any information should call DC Shepherd on 101, text information to 07786 200011 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

A 15.85% increase on the Police precept for Bedfordshire is proposed by Police and Crime Commissioner, Olly Martins. He wants to restore neighbourhood policing in the county and to put Bedfordshire Police on a firmer financial footing. A typical band D property would pay an extra £25 per year towards policing - 50p extra a week per property. An increase of this scale would require a referendum to secure the agreement of the public, which would be held alongside the General Election on 7 May. This would be the first referendum under the current legislation. More:  http://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk

The Co-op site in Houghton Regis At an Executive meeting of Central Bedfordshire Council on Tuesday this week, early stage plans will be unveiled to redevelop the Co-op site in Houghton Regis. The plan indicates that the whole site being considered will include Red House Court in Clarke's Way, the whole of the former Co-op car parking areas, including the recycling bins area and the site of the former store. The former Co Op site is presently vacant and will return to the Council’s full control. What is being considered is within the context of a Sheltered Housing Review. Newer homes with newer facilities would be built within the site, and then the existing Red House Court building would be demolished with new construction fit for the 21st century replacing it. The Council report emphasises that these proposals are at an early stage and there has been no discussion with residents or local stakeholders, to influence the initial ideas.  The report states :-

Preparatory works begin on A5-M1 Link Further work to prepare for main construction of the A5-M1 Link Dunstable Northern Bypass will start on Monday (12 January). The new two-lane dual carriageway running east from the A5 north of Dunstable to join the M1 at a new junction 11a south of Chalton will reduce and improve journey time reliability for long distance traffic travelling around Dunstable. The majority of the preparatory work will be offline and involve site clearance on the M1 temporary slip roads, including trimming hedges, bushes and trees. During this work off-peak temporary traffic lights will be in use for local traffic on Sundon Road from 9am until 3.30pm. There will also be ditch and fencing work east of the M1 in the field adjacent with no impact on traffic. Temporary slip roads will be constructed on the west and east side of the M1 to avoid heavy site traffic travelling through the villages and to minimise disruption on the carriageway when main work commence

Central Bedfordshire Council has been awarded £2,196,000 to deliver a prestigious project for Houghton Regis, it was announced today. The Parks for People programme - a joint initiative between the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund - will support Houghton Hall Park – Renaissance and Renewal Project which aims to restore the vitality of the historic Houghton Hall Park. Parks for People funding helps conserve the heritage that makes both historic parks and cemeteries special, giving local people a say in how they are managed in the future. Projects improve people’s wellbeing and knowledge of their area and make communities better places to live, work and visit. Central Bedfordshire Council’s Countryside Access Service , in partnership with Houghton Regis Town Council and the Greensand Trust , intends to celebrate the heritage of Houghton Hall Park while improving facilities to meet the needs of the community. The project will include - the restoration of

Houghton Regis Town Council last night objected once again to two applications for housing developments that together would have provided up to 231 new homes on two sites. And there was news that a take-away in Tithe Farm Rd had been granted permission to go ahead. Representatives from Hunter Page Planning attended the meeting to talk about their proposed development for up to 62 homes in a meadow behind the old Red Lion public house in Bedford Road, Houghton Regis. Councillors quizzed the representatives on predicted impact on local highways, the potential for land flooding, and the need for this land to be developed at all, when the overall redevelopment plans for the area had designated Bidwell as a quiet hamlet entrance to the town. A recorded vote was taken and members of the committee unanimously voted against the scheme. To view this application online, go to http://j.mp/cbcplanning enter 14/03047 in the search box, and follow the links. In considering the applicati

Plans to build on 6.84 hectares of vacant land east of Bedford Road are due to be discussed by town councillors in Houghton Regis on Monday evening (5th January). The plans by Taylor Wimpey are for 169 homes comprising 6 two bedroom homes, 46 three bedroom homes 68 four bedroom homes all at market prices; and 11 two bedroom homes 20 three bedroom homes, 1 four bedroom home, and 18 two bedroom flats at social renting prices. The site is bounded by Bedford Road, from opposite Red Lion public house to Plaiters Way, and the scheme includes a roundabout to access the site. The eastern boundary is Churchfield Road. A proposed access to route to the Tithe Farm Primary School is included at the north east point of the development. The full application includes car parking, drainage, pumping station, hard and soft landscaping, footway/cycleways, childrens play space and informal public open space, as well as designs for various types of housing. To view full details, go to h

The Christmas season arrived a little early, on Tuesday  25th November 2014 to be precise,  at The Grove Theatre, Dunstable, when Houghton Regis Town Council held their 2nd  ‘Celebration of Christmas’ Performance  to raise funds for the Mayor of Houghton Regis’ chosen charities.  For More information and pictures from this event please click here  *PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DVD IS NOT A PROFESSIONAL COPY, AND HAS BEEN RECORDED ON A HOME CAMCORDER AND COPIED IN HOUSE* (some distortion may be present) THIS DVD IS A MEMENTO OF THE EVENT.