Houghton Regis News Desk

The Old "Netto" Site in Houghton Regis' Cemetery Road was subject to a planning application on behalf of the new site owners, Morrisons.

The application in May 2014 was for "Demolition of existing supermarket and erection of new petrol filling station with sales kiosk and car wash facility" under application number CB/14/01934/FULL to Central Bedfordshire Council.

The application was refused planning permission on 23/04/2015 after the  Environment Agency raised concerns that storage tanks could cause an unacceptable risk of pollution.

The decision notice can be seen at CBC's website:

1) This site is located above a Principal Aquifer. Groundwater beneath the site is potentially shallow and the site is considered to be of high sensitivity. The proposed fuel storage presents potential pollutant linkages to controlled waters. Therefore, an assessment of potential contamination found in the proposed development site, an assessment of the pollutant linkages that …

Sam Harry died four days after catastrophic brain damage akin to being involved in a 60 mph crash. He was 20 months old.

But who swung, or pushed him, with such a fateful force? His mother, Deanna Buffham or her new lover Ryan Bate? Chief prosecutors wrote, "One or both of them must have been responsible for [your son’s] ­injuries... it would not be possible to prosecute the suspects on a joint enterprise basis simply because we know that one of them must be guilty of the offence.”

So why are Buffham or Bate still not charged?

The child's father, Nick Harry, told the Daily Mirror this week, "They can’t charge them with joint enterprise because at various times both of them went out of the house. Even though the police know one of two people killed my son quite brutally we are unable to have any sort of justice. I want justice for my son and whoever did this to him needs to be punished.

"If the case went in front of a jury at least it would be up to them to decide.”

…

Woman Stabbed in Arm While Walking Dog

A woman was stabbed in the arm about 7.40pm on Thursday 25th June while walking her dog near Dolphin Drive. The attacker is described as black, of medium build and was wearing blue jeans, and a grey jacket. Police are appealing for witnesses.

This follows an earlier incident near the same place on 19th June where  two male victims were approached by two men in the recreation park behind the GoHoughton restaurant in the town’s Parkside area at around 11.30pm. The offenders assaulted the pair and threatened them with a knife before making off with a mobile phone and bag. The suspect carrying the knife is described as white, skinny build, aged between 18 and 20 and 5’ 11” to 6ft tall. He was wearing a grey hooded top and grey jogging bottoms.
The second suspect is described as mixed race, aged in his early twenties, and around 6ft tall. He wore a black hoodie and grey joggers.

For either of these episodes please call police on 101 or text informatio…

Luton Borough Council have published the results of a Perceptions of Luton survey. Based on feedback of less than 1,000 people in 2013, 71% of whom said they lived in Luton. 
The key themes describing Luton included:  Diversity/multi culturalismBusy/crowded/overcrowdedDirtyDangerous/unsafe.

About 40% of people had negative feelings about the town, but people had good things to say too,

Main responses that would promote a positive image for Luton include, "Clean up Luton", "Reduce crime", "better public relations".
Report: http://consult.luton.gov.uk/portal/lbc/perceptions_of_luton/perceptions_of_luton?tab=files

Appeal Following Knifepoint Robbery in Houghton Regis
Bedfordshire Police are appealing for witnesses and information surrounding a knifepoint robbery in Houghton Regis on Friday (19 June).
Two male victims were approached by two men in the recreation park behind the GoHoughton restaurant in the town’s Parkside area at around 11.30pm.
The offenders assaulted the pair and threatened them with a knife before making off with a mobile phone and bag.
The suspect carrying the knife is described as white, skinny build, aged between 18 and 20 and 5’ 11” to 6ft tall. He was wearing a grey hooded top and grey jogging bottoms.
The second suspect is described as mixed race, aged in his early twenties, and around 6ft tall. He wore a black hoodie and grey joggers.
Call police on 101 or text information to 07786 200011. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

NUISANCE BIKERS: A fed up Chelsea Gardens resident has started a Facebook Page and a Petition.

Petition: https://goo.gl/SwqUlH



NUISANCE BIKERS: A fed up Chelsea Gardens resident has started a Facebook Page and a Petition."Over the past couple of...Posted by Houghton Regis News Desk on Monday, 22 June 2015

(EDIT 5/2017 - THIS IS AN OLD ARTICLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ANGLING CLUB NO LONGER EXISTS. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE ENQUIRIES TO THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS)


"Houghton Regis Chalk Pit Nature reserve is of national importance for its wildlife and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Local Wildlife Site" starts a new leaflet advertising a new Angling Club in Houghton Regis. The marl lake offers freshwater fish: Rudd, Roach, Perch, Tench and Carp.

The Chalk Pit, off Houghton Road, and Lake View, is owned by St. Francis group and managed by The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Northamptonshire. The Angling Club has been set up to combat irresponsible anglers who have damaged the environment and harmed wildlife by discarding their fishing tackle, littering, and campfires.

 The Annual membership of the Angling Club was £20 for adults, £10 for those aged 13-16, and free to under 16s who are supervised and who volunteer with the 'Wildlife Youth Rangers'. Day t…

Houghton Regis Town Council voted unanimously to accept the findings of a working group, and to no longer pursue Orchard Close Recreation Ground as the site for a future cemetery, at their meeting tonight (22nd June).
Instead, they will seek land provision for a new cemetery within the HRN2 site (Bidwell West) where up to 1850 new homes and associated facilities are proposed (see Developments). There are no plans within the HRN2 site for a cemetery at present, although substantial recreational areas, orchards, and allotment sites are planned. The Town Council made objections to aspects of the HRN2 scheme earlier this year.

A working group of the Council, not open to the public, met on 11th June to discuss in detail the background to the earlier choice of the Orchard Close Recreation Ground, and the activity that had been done towards gauging its suitability. That meeting resolved the following:

1.To recommend to Town Council that Orchard Close no longer be pursued for a future cemete…

Find out what people are saying. Log into Facebook now.


Up to 28 staff could be made redundant at Central Beds College. | Luton on Sunday
Posted by Houghton Regis News Desk on Sunday, 21 June 2015

As part of National Neighbourhood and Home Watch Week Bedfordshire Police will be hosting a web chat about Neighbourhood Watch on Tuesday 23 June, between 7pm and 8pm.Representatives from local groups will be on hand to answer questions about Neighbourhood Watch, with top tips about how you can keep your neighbourhood safe and about the work that Neighbourhood Watch is doing in the community.
The national week runs between 20 to 28 June. 
To set a reminder for the event or take part on the day, visit the Bedfordshire police website.
For more information about Neighbourhood and Home Watch Schemes and more events visit the Watch Schemes Website.

An applicant is seeking permission to demolish a range of old buildings, and gain outline planning permission for 30 new homes. Situated to the north east of Houghton Regis, the land was once used as a Nursery Garden Centre. A prior indication was that 59 homes would have been built, but there were concerns over the suggested density.

The site has a chequered history of applications and enforcement notices against it. Being located within the green belt, accessed from a road that can be busy, and also being on the edge of the HRN1 site has made it difficult for a satisfactory scheme to come forward for the site.

The indicative layout provides for a mix of semi-detached and short terraced properties of two and two and a half story scale. 30% of the new homes would fall into the "affordable homes" category. Power lines make approximately 30% of the 1.6ha site undevelopable.

Plans:      30 new homes at the former Windy Willows nursery, Sundon Road
Comments on this application…

The Houghton Regis Town Council meet on Monday 22nd June at 7.30pm.

It will come as some relief to people living near Orchard Close, who have put up a continuous protest, that a recommendation to no longer pursue Orchard Close recreation ground is to be considered. The last Council contemplated, and started groundworks, to establish the viability of using Orchard Close Recreation Ground as a suitable location for the town's new cemetery. But it was later discovered that there were covenants on the land, reserving it for use as "open space for recreational use".  Instead, the recommendation is that they will pursue alternative sites including land north of Thorn Road.

Among other business to be discussed, is a scheme to provide a couple of redeployable CCTV cameras, and the sites in Houghton Regis where they might be located.

Members of the public are welcome to attend Council meetings, and 15 minutes is allocated at the start of each minute for public questions. An agen…

​A brand new fitness concept is set to launch on Monday, 22 June in Central Bedfordshire – designed to provide access to free, outdoor group exercise classes booked through an interactive, social website.

Funded principally by the Community Sport Activation Fund from Sport England, the partnership between Central Bedfordshire Council and Our Parks is the first initiative of its kind outside of London. Included in the scheme will be:

Tithe Farm – Houghton Regis
Jardine Way – Dunstable
Appenine Way – Leighton Buzzard
Recreation Ground – Arlesey
Eagle Farm Road – Biggleswade

A series of one-hour classes at each location will be held per week. Activities will include yoga, bootcamp, boxfit, social sports and more. Leaders will be experienced, fully qualified and insured instructors catering for all levels of experience, from beginner to expert.

"Our Parks" utilises a bespoke mobile and tablet friendly website, where all the available activities are listed and colour-coded to indicate th…

Information for people seeking clarification on speeding and speed cameras:

House of Commons Library : Roads: speed cameras
Standard Note: SN350
Last updated: 15 April 2013  http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN00350/SN00350.pdf

Department of Transport: 31/jan/2007 USE OF SPEED AND RED-LIGHT CAMERAS FOR TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT: GUIDANCE ON DEPLOYMENT, VISIBILITY AND SIGNING  http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20070205102153/http:/www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/cameras/pdfdftcirc0107?version=2

ACPO Speed Enforcement Guidelines:
http://www.pepipoo.com/files/ACPO/ACPO_enforcement_guidelines.htm

VIEW THIS POSTON FACEBOOK. Over 53 thousand people saw this post that went online on 13 April 2015

As a precautionary measure, Houghton Regis Town Council put work in hand to make the willow trees opposite the Chequers, Houghton Regis, safer. The trees were attended to by contractors at the weekend.

A bough snapped off and fell into the road earlier this year.

Concerns have been raised in Houghton Regis over the state of the demolition site in the centre of Houghton Regis Town Centre.
The site has gaps in the hoardings which make it easily accessible to anyone who might want to cause mischief. The site is still the responsibility of the the Co-op. Local ward CBC councillors were engaged by Houghton Regis News editor, Alan Winter, to ask the freeholders, Central Bedfordshire Council what they would do about the situation.
Alan said, "Children could get in and hurt themselves, or worse, an arsonist starts another fire. Debris is piled up in the centre of the site, and there are apparently some electrical works. It's a real concern."
Central Bedfordshire Council issued a statement today saying, "Although the Co-Operative store in the town centre has closed, the site is still in the control of the company.  We expect this to transfer to the Council  later this  summer but ahead of this, the Co-Op are responsible for clearing it …

​Bedfordshire Police and CEOPS are running an E-Safety awareness course at Tithe Farm Neighbourhood Centre​ on Friday 10th July. It is aimed at parents who feel a bit lost at how to keep their children safe online. Book your space by calling 01582 863117.

Ever wondered what it's like to work with children? Now's your chance with a FREE taster session. Spaces are limited so contact the Academy to book a place. Contact academy@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

The new Woodside Link (running from Porz Avenue roundabout in Houghton Regis to a new M1 motorway junction) will be the first UK road to have its own anthem, produced as a collaboration between local residents and artists Bettina Furnee & Marcus Leadley.


CONTRIBUTE!

1. CAPTURE THE SOUND
Using your mobile phone or other device, record a local sound which you think is representative of Houghton Regis - it could be bells of the church, people talking, children playing, birds whistling, someone getting out of a car, papers being shuffled in an office, an elderly man laughing, the sound of knitting, anything really, it's entirely up to you.

2. UPLOAD THE SOUND
The sound can then be uploaded to the sound project at https://centralbedfordshire.wufoo.com/forms/your-sound-from-houghton-regis-and-luton/

3. HEAR THE SOUND
Contributed sounds can be listened to on here: http://soundcloud.com/your-sound-from-houghton-regis-and-luton

Selected sounds will become part of a celebratory sound and image …

One of the funniest West End theatre musical performances is on at Milton Keynes Theatre,  this week. 

Starring Joe Pasquale and Joe Tracini

Monty Python’s Spamalot gallops along to the sound of banging coconut shells.
Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot is a kind-of new musical with a book by Eric Idle and an entirely new score for the new production, (well, almost) created by Eric Idle and John Du Prez.


Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and features a bevy (or possibly a brace) of beautiful show girls, witch burnings (cancelled due to health and safety) not to mention cows, killer rabbits and French people. The show features fantastic tunes more magical than a Camelot convention, including He Is Not Dead Yet, Knights of the Round Table, Find Your Grail and of course the Nation’s Favourite Comedy Song (Reader’s Digest Poll 2010 - before it went bust), Always Look on the Bright Side of…

For larger image see: Link


In a document entitled "Statement of Very Special Circumstances Addendum" Bidwell West Consortium developers (the HRN2 developers) have agreed to fund up to £12 million to help construct the £38.3m Woodside Link, a project by Central Bedfordshire Council.

The document acknowledges that the cost of the Woodside link is about £42 million, and that the HRN1 developers contributed funding towards the A5-M1 link, but made no contribution to the Woodside Link, except to provide the land. To alleviate congestion as a consequence of the growth within the identified Houghton Regis North allocation, the HRN2 developers have agreed to provide funding for signalisation at the A5/A5-M1 Link roundabout and at the A5120/A5-M1 Link roundabout along with a contribution toward Woodside Link: "it is acknowledged that the development proposal represents the largest contributor to the growth of the HRN allocation after Site 1 and therefore is required to contribute…

13th June 2015 Posted by Houghton Regis News Desk on Saturday, 13 June 2015

New Council Tax bills are being sent out, based on the fact that a majority of people in Bedfordshire said "No" to the...Posted by Houghton Regis News Desk on Saturday, 13 June 2015

BBC Three Counties Radio are having a clear out of their Luton offices today. On Tuesday they move to Dunstable, near the Grove Theatre.Posted by Houghton Regis News Desk on Saturday, 13 June 2015

Woodside Link Event Jun 14, 2015 02:00PM "Come along to the introduction to the Woodside Link art project on Sunday at...Posted by Houghton Regis News Desk on Saturday, 13 June 2015



12th June 2015 Grove Academy Performing Arts School Jun 13, 2015 09:45AM Grove Theatre,...Posted by Houghton Regis News Desk on Friday, 12 June 2015

HRND welcomes Ali Finlayson as a new Page 'Like" . Woo-hoo-dun-nun-a-nun-dun-nun-a-nun, woo hoo hoo ooo woo hoo !Posted by Houghton Regis News Desk on Friday, 12 June 2015

Gnakpa and Showunmi the …