Houghton Regis News Desk

Whitbread's will learn this week whether or not they will be allowed planning permission to use land at the former Co-op site in Houghton Regis town centre as "car park with minor works, the temporary stationing of two portable buildings for ancillary use as security and shelter and temporary stationing of lighting". The car park has been closed to the public since 16th February 2014 . WEBCAST The case is due to be heard at Central Bedfordshire Council's Development Management Committee which meets from 10:00am on Wednesday 28th February. Planning Application No. CB/18/00077/FULL will be heard during the day. These meetings are cast to the internet,  via live video , and are also available to  view afterwards . A report to the committee recommends approval. The recommendation is that permission ceases at the end of July 2018 or another date to be agreed so that the commencement of works on Houghton Central is not compromised. Another recommendation is t

Central Bedfordshire Council is now consulting with its residents on potential changes to bin collections. The options in the consultation only affect residents in houses - there are currently no changes planned for flats with communal bins. Some of the options being mooted could see new services introduced, such as food waste and glass, while others suggest changes to the current arrangements for recycling, domestic waste (black bins) and garden waste. The council wants to hear residents’ views on these. Bin collections are one of the most expensive services the council provides: the council currently spends £14million a year on collecting and disposing of waste from over 118,000 households. That amounts to around 7% of the council’s budget, or 9% of residents’ council tax. Because the current bin contracts are about to come to an end, the council is seeking ways to reduce the cost of the service; increase efficiencies; and increase recycling levels. The options consulted o

A three-day exhibition of plans for HRN1 opened to the public today, at the library concourse, Bedford Square, Houghton Regis. The plans include up to 5,150 homes, employment on  130,500 m², retail space of  30,000 m², leisure space of 45,000 m² and open space of at least 78 hectares (192 acres). The consortium behind the scheme: Houghton Regis Development Consortium, Lands Improvement, Aviva, Diocese of St Albans. The exhibition times are: Thursday 22nd February 2pm until 8pm Friday 23rd February 2pm until 8pm Saturday 24th February 10am until 4pm A  Site-Wide Masterplan and accompanying Design Code, are on display and these aim to provide overall guidance to the development. The masterplan includes scattered parks as well as housing estates, right up to the edge of Tithe Farm Recreation Ground. Key footpath routes north-south on current open fields will be retained as cycling/walking routes. Some feedback to the plans was received on 25th January when loc

Council staff and community groups were represented in the Houghton Regis Pancake Races that took part in the Community Centre at Bedford Square this afternoon. Teams flipped pancakes for fun down a course laid out in the main hall. The event was moved from the Village Green due to the slipperiness of the wet grass. Mike Ruff on the  accordion But, Regis the Lion was sad. Come on Regis, don't be sad! He soon cheered up when he got his medal! © Photos Alan D Winter 2018 Flashback 2017 Flashback - 2015 event. VIDEO - 2015

New River Cottage Kitchen and Deli opens at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Feeding time at the Zoo has become a mouth-watering experience for visitors as River Cottage Kitchen and Deli opens its doors at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. The exciting new collaboration with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and his River Cottage team, sees the food writer and campaigner bring his River Cottage restaurant to the UK’s largest Zoo. At the unique restaurant, visitors can enjoy delicious lunches where the finest seasonal ingredients, ethically and locally-sourced, are at the heart of delightful new menus. The experience doesn’t stop with delicious food; the rustic restaurant overlooks the picturesque Chiltern Hills on one side and the Zoo’s herd of white rhinos on the other side, a truly unique experience. Guests can graze on an appetising menu of grilled flatbread, organic hummus and hemp seed dukkah for starters. Roast spiced cauliflower, split peas and crisp onions; baked lamb meatballs with pickled lemon an