Tracey McMahon, dressed as a mushroom to deliver a petition to CBC Executive
Some ten weeks ago a Partnership Committee in Houghton Regis was told without any consultation by a CBC official that the Community Centre in Bedford Square was going to be used for educational uses and this would mean some existing users would be displaced from the building. Watch Video:
This week a petition was received by the Executive Committee at Central Bedfordshire Council (Tuesday).
Petition: “Reverse the arbitrary decision by officers and executive members to change the use of Houghton Regis Community Centre to that of a learning provision, with no consultation from stakeholders, user groups, community, or local councillors, effectively closing the centre to the public, evicting the clubs that use the facility, and forcing them to fold. Contrary to CBC's Statement of Community Involvement (updated June 2020), and in violation of the Equality Act 2010.”
Presenting the petition was local resident, Tracey McMahon, who concluded that Houghton Regis is bottom of the pile when it comes to CBC:
Former Parkside CBC councillor, Dr Rita Egan also addressed the committee:
Ahead of the meeting, Save Houghton Regis Community Centre (Facebook Page) spelt out the campaign, saying, “Community centres are important hubs across the country that give people an opportunity to socialise, learn and access key services.
“Some argue that these centres aren’t seen as desirable places to spend time – but they serve a vital function in communities across the country. De-stigmatising community centres and promoting the incredible work they do to bring people together will help invigorate and refresh the sector. The more people who use, contribute to and donate money towards community centres, the more people can be helped.
“Now more than ever, we’re living in challenging times that require us all to pull together and offer help. Here are just 10 reasons why community centres are vital hubs, providing a much-needed service for individuals across the country…
1. Unites a community
This one’s obvious, but perhaps the most important.
The clue is in the name – community centres are all about providing a place for the community to connect and socialise. They’re multi-purpose hubs that offer different things for different people.
Whether the community centre is religious in nature or has been created to provide support to a specific section of the community, it undoubtedly connects people from all walks of life. Community centres demonstrate how wonderfully we can all work together. Race, age, gender, class, education and other protected characteristics should not be noticed in a community centre. People are valued for their own individuality and socialise together no matter what.
Community centres also offer family and friends the chance to really connect with one another and take part in an activity together. If a family unit rarely spends quality time together, then attending a weekly class could be perfect. As a bonus it’s also a great way to meet other families within the community.
2. Provides volunteer opportunities
There are many reasons why people volunteer. Some want the opportunity to give back and do great things (kindness is good for our health, after all). Others require a break from day-to-day life and find solace in volunteering. There’s always new people to meet, new skills to learn and activities to take part in. It gives people a chance to build their confidence and feel part of a team.
Of course, one of the main reasons people volunteer is to build their skill sets and employability. Community centres offer individuals a great opportunity to enhance their CV and gain vital knowledge they need to take with them into the world of work.
3. Support for community projects
Community centres bring people together to work on wider community projects, such as organising clean-ups or working on improving a gardening space.
It’s not all about what goes on within four walls. Community centres outreach to the wider community and work to improve the town, city and overall local environment for everyone.
4. Combating loneliness
Community centres provide a vital place to visit for older members of the community, or people who feel isolated from those around them. Studies show almost a fifth of the population feels lonely always or often. Having a place to visit regularly is vital for many people. It provides routine, something to look forward to and new opportunities.
Some centres fundraise for trips and excursions for their members. This offers another opportunity for people to see new places and make friends no matter their age or background.
5. Positively impacts the lives of younger people
Youths must have a safe space to visit and take part in new activities. Community centres provide classes and events such as physical, creative or social activities. This programme offers countless opportunities for young people to make friends and learn new skills. Giving the younger generation a healthy outlet for their energy will prevent anti-social behaviour and nurture the individual’s most positive attributes instead.
6. Promotes healthy living
Many community centres offer physical activities. Walking clubs and fitness classes tailored to various age groups provides the whole community with a reason to get out and get healthy.
Prioritising physical fitness is key, but not everyone wants to join a gym or go to a demanding sports class. Community centres put socialising at the heart of everything it does – making fitness fun. Some centres are even promoting nutritional health by offering cooking classes!
7. Encourages creativity and culture
Arts and crafts classes and other cultural activities are key to encouraging new members of the community to get involved. The more opportunities, the more people who come along.
Community centres develop a culture of wellbeing across social, mental and physical health. This will improve the overall health of the community, taking pressure off social services and other facilities.
8. Shares valuable information
If an individual wants to know ‘what’s on’, they’d turn to their local community centre for information. They provide valuable information on events, programmes and other activities going on in the community. From local am-dram productions to community galas, you can bet all you need to know can be found from your local community centre or village hall.
Guides, brochures, flyers, newsletters – you name it, your community centre will have it. Stay connected with what’s going on in your town or city.
You can also find wider resources from your local community centre. The volunteers and staff will be able to signpost individuals to helpful websites or facilities, such as mental health organisations or government advice.
9. Offers educational opportunities
Many community centres still offer basic adult education opportunities, as well as developmental opportunities (such as dance classes or crafts). A safe space to learn a new skill and further an individual’s education is a fantastic resource.
Often centres host a nursery or preschools, too. This allows the building to be put to great use during the day, ready for evening classes and activities.
This perfectly demonstrates the impact community centres have on every life stage of the community, from nurseries right through to adult education and activities for the elderly.
10. Provides unique and much-needed facilities
Individuals often find hiring facilities prohibitively costly. People are able to organise social and family events by hiring out community centre spaces. Other voluntary groups and organisations are also able to hire out space on a more regular, consistent basis. This service is invaluable for people who want to organise social activities and need a base in which to do this. Yet again, community centres prove invaluable.
#savehoughtonregiscommunitycentre
#saveourcentre
Cllr Pat Hamill, CBC, Tithe Farm commented on Tuesday 12 October, citing concerns that some places being used temporarily were not suitable, “The sorry mess continues. I have just come from the Visitors Centre [in Houghton Hall Park] after not finding a table to sit on so I expected to see the other room being opened up next door. I was told it was for the Park Committee to hold their meetings with one round table on show and a wheelbarrow. Next to that room was Time-2-Connect and there is a lack of storage in this place. They cannot use the Community Centre because it has been given away without any consultation.
“The Craft Cafe will be using the same room after being kicked out of the Community Centre and so those the most vulnerable may not be mobile enough to walk to the Visitors Centre. It is not on a bus route. A community Centre is for residents to meet up with each other when similar interests are on offer. The Visitor Centre cannot cope because it is not big enough.
“What a mess CBC has made of our town. We still have a long way to climb to turn everything that affects us all around.”
Cllr Toni Ryan, CBC, Parkside also commented Tuesday, “Today I submitted a statement to the Council's Executive Committee who run the Council. This matter is to be deferred and a full investigation as to who is at fault for the closure.
“The Council's Leadership has apologised for the lack of consultation that led to the eviction of the Houghton Regis community from its own centre. They have agreed that the Council's communication was poor.
“Council officers have now stated that this could be a temporary measure, and the centre will potentially be given back to our community (rightly so) after a year.
“It is inexcusable to me that we will be pushing young people, some with learning and emotional needs, from pillar to post, because the Council can't get its act together and deliver education provision where it's most needed. In addition, it's unacceptable to put unnecessary processes in place to switch from the Houghton Hub to other providers should the Hub prove unsuitable. I demand that the Executive member of Children Services bring forward a 5-year plan that accommodates the needs [of those] who use the service and make sure strong contingency plans are in place. And Central Bedfordshire sees good sense and return the centre to the community it serves.”
Official Consultation Begins
Central Bedfordshire Council has now officially launched a consultation on the future use of Bedford Square Community Centre in Houghton Regis.
CBC say that the venue is currently being used to provide education for young people with special educational needs in the daytime, and by community groups during evenings and weekends and school holidays.
They say this temporary arrangement was put into place urgently after a previous education provider went into administration over the summer, leaving vulnerable learners without a place to learn.
The Council has now said it wants to hear feedback on the proposed long-term arrangements. It is the Council's preference that the venue continues to be used to provide educational support for young people with special educational needs whilst still being available for community use in the evenings, weekends and school holidays.
Cllr Ghent, the Executive Member for Housing and Assets, has said in a statement issued by the Council, Tuesday, “The community centre in Bedford Square has provided a vital lifeline for vulnerable young people who would have otherwise been left without anywhere to learn. I know some people have been concerned that this would mean the Centre is no longer available for community use – that’s not the case. The centre was previously underused and many of the previous users are continuing to use the community centre in the evenings or weekends.
“The Council has to balance the competing needs of different communities and vulnerable groups. We know that providing continuity and consistency to vulnerable young people is hugely important and so is having access to community space for local residents to use.
“Our analysis shows there are a number of other facilities available nearby the Community Centre that is also available for hire, as well as a new space soon to open at All Saints View, and we believe there is sufficient community space locally that we can accommodate the education provision in the Centre and meet the needs of the community for community space.
“Before we make a decision on this, we want to hear local residents’ views on this proposal.”
A new store for Lidl is to be built between Houghton Road and Blackburn Road in Houghton Regis. Planning permission for the store was actually granted in July.
Lidl GB’s Regional Head of Property, Jason Buckley, said, “We are delighted to have received planning permission for this store. This would mark our second store for Houghton Regis and it will be fantastic to serve even more of the local area with our fresh, quality, great value products in the not too distant future. We very much look forward to breaking ground and getting started on construction in due course”.
The new store will create up to 40 new jobs. In all, there will 1,410m² sales area, an in-store bakery, customer toilets, parking for cars and bicycles, and electric vehicle rapid charging facilities. Opening hours will be restricted to 7 am to 10 pm Mondays to Saturdays including bank holidays and 9 am to 5 pm on Sundays.
There had been concerns over access to the site. Permission has been granted so that the existing Blackburn Road access will take a delivery vehicle. A new 2m wide footway will lead into the site, and this will incorporate a dropped kerb crossing and tactile paving at the bellmouth. Traffic travelling towards Houghton Regis town centre will be able to turn right into the site, before reaching the traffic light junction with Townsend Farm Road, using a special turn lane junction arrangement at Houghton Road.
30 June 2021
Lidl for Houghton Road, Houghton Regis - Listen to the Debate
Listen to what Central Bedfordshire Councillors and others had to say while deliberating over a planning application to bring a Lidl supermarket to Houghton Road, opposite Screwfix and close to Townsend and Blackburn Road in Houghton Regis:
Councillors were keen to see a flattening of the loss of trees versus the number to be provided; more than 2 electrical vehicle rapid charging points; charging points for staff vehicles.
16 Feb 2021
Lidl Apply To Build Store on Houghton Road
Lidl is applying for full planning permission to build a new store between Houghton Road and Blackburn Road in Houghton Regis, currently a brownfield site, creating 40 jobs.
The company recently opened a store on Luton Road, Dunstable, and another store is planned for the Linmere development en route from the M1 motorway.
The proposal briefly comprises:
• a new high-quality A1 Lidl foodstore with a gross external area of 2,382 sqm and a net sales area of 1,414 sqm.
• 125 car parking spaces (including 10 disabled spaces, 10 parent and child and 2 electric vehicle spaces)
• an attractive hard and soft landscaping proposal
HGV site access would be via Blackburn Road, with customer entrance on Houghton Road.
Full Plans are available on the CBC Planning Portal.
A Highways officer from Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) told a Planning Meeting of Houghton Regis Town Council (HRTC) tonight (Monday 12th July), that there were, "overwhelming objections to the proposals at the moment."
Paul Salmon, a CBC Highways Officer, was speaking at a meeting held at the HRTC offices, and online via MS Teams, saying that at the moment he was collating comments for a report. The exercise was to look at options for displacing parking for visitors to All Saints View (ASV). Phase One of that scheme was due to complete September / October this year. Mr Salmon was keen to point out that all the proposals are just that and that no decisions had been made yet. He was currently on page 69 of his report, consolidating responses to the consultation, and at the moment there were “overwhelming objections to the proposals.”
His report will go before a CBC Traffic Management Meeting on 27th July, giving a little time to implement any decision(s) taken before ASV opens.
The meeting heard several comments and questions from members of the public and these were answered by Mr Salmon, and fellow CBC officer, Gurvinder Singh.
Mr Singh said that ASV was a development comprising 168 residential homes, 8 retail units, on-site hair salons and a restaurant. It was an independent living scheme similar to Priory View in Dunstable. The majority of residents would access town centre facilities (library, post office, supermarket, doctors, dentists) quite easily and bus stops were nearby for facilities further afield.
ASV would have 88 spaces for mobility scooters and residents would be able to subscribe to a car club where 25 to 30 e-cars would be made available for resident's use. There would be 106 parking spaces on ASV, split over 2 phases. 41 of these would be in the undercroft of the building.
Phase 2 of the ASV project is the demolition and rebuild of Red House Court and March 2023 is the anticipated delivery date.
Public Questions
A member of the public, Sally Gray, queried the need for double yellow lines down Redhouse Court which runs from East End to Houghton Hall. The restrictions would hamper those who wished to access the playground, walk their dog, visit the Pavilion, or help with the vegetable gardens. In response, Mr Salmon said the proposal was put forward after hearing concerns from emergency services who might need access to Houghton Hall.
Danielle Osborne, a resident of Park Avenue, spoke of the anxiety of residents after notices had been placed on lamposts about the prospect of a residents-only parking scheme. Mrs Osborne pointed out that some people already had driveways, others had none and wondered how a balance of fairness could be struck? She had concerns that current restrictions could not be policed, and wanted to know how the council would manage it in the future? The proposed residents parking scheme would be 8am until 6pm but she had reservations about the hours. She also wondered why 4 parking spaces had to be lost by having a 21m no parking area at the end of Park Avenue.
Local resident, Martin Cadman, queried the hours of operation proposed on the residents parking scheme for Park Avenue. He suggested it might be altered to start at 6am or even run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Mr Salmon agreed that the 24/7 operation of the parking scheme had also been suggested in feedback to the consultation. He said that the hours 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday had been chosen as that covered the majority of the time that people would be out at work. The Highway Code says that the minimum no-parking limitation near a junction was 10m but they had proposed 21m to try to keep the entrance clear for emergency vehicles.
Councillors
HRTC councillors then proceeded to carefully go over the proposals (download here (.pdf) from HRTC website). Councillors felt there was no evidence to support most of the proposals. They did, however, agree to the proposed parking restrictions around ASV, itself. Before they could commit to supporting the proposed parking scheme for Park Avenue, they felt that needed more information and clarification that homes facing The Green would be included.
On parking permits, Cllr Ray Morgan thought that, overall, these would be a benefit for all residents who wanted to apply for them, and that they should have the opportunity to exclude non-residents from parking on that road.
When available, the HRTC recording of the meeting will be available to watch on their Youtube channel.
People in Houghton Regis can get a rapid COVID-19 test from Thursday 29 April at a new mobile test and collect service from Central Bedfordshire Council.
The new service will provide testing kits and encourage residents to take a test on-site first to ensure people are confident to use them at home. Testing is free and there is no need to book an appointment, people can just turn up.
The new mobile test and collect minibus will be at Parkside Day Centre on Parkside Drive from Thursday 29 April until Friday 7 May (This is where the burger van parks up in the evenings). The mobile service will then move to another location in Houghton Regis.
Staff will be on hand to help people self-test, demonstrate how to do the tests at home and give away home testing kits. There will be help on hand for those who might need it.
With around one in three people who have coronavirus showing no symptoms, regular testing is vital to help identify more people who have COVID-19 as early as possible and help to reduce the spread of the virus.
You are recommended to get tested twice a week, 3 to 4 days apart. The testing is free, easy and quick.
Local residents can collect up to 2 packs of 7 tests from the new mobile testing centre in Houghton Regis. The service is open to anyone living or working in or visiting Houghton Regis. People are being asked to bring a smartphone to register and be sent their results. There is no need to make an appointment – just turn up.
Parkside Day Centre on Parkside Drive open from 11am to 7pm:
Thursday 29 April
Friday 30 April
Tuesday 4 May
Thursday 6 May
Friday 7 May
... or Order Online
you can order a pack of 7 tests for home delivery online via UK government website. If you do tests at home, you'll need to report your results online or on the phone. Your pack will include details of how to do this and what to do next.
... or collect a rapid tests pack from these local pharmacists:
Lloyds Pharmacy Ltd - 17-18 Bedford Square, Houghton Regis
Houghton Regis Medical Centre, Peel Street, Houghton Regis
More rapid-test pharmacies can be found using this map.
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6 Apr 2021
Twice Weekly Covid-19 testing available from 19 April
Everyone in England, including those without symptoms, will be able to take a free rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) test twice a week
Alongside vaccine rollout, regular testing is at the heart of plans to reopen society and the economy, helping to suppress and control the spread of variants
Updates will be made to the NHS COVID-19 app in England to coincide with the universal testing offer
Everyone in England will be able to access free, regular, rapid coronavirus testing from 9 April, the government has announced.
In a significant step forward, which paves the way for businesses and society reopening, anyone will be able to access free, rapid lateral flow tests (LFDs) for themselves and their families to use twice a week, in line with clinical guidance.
Rapid testing has so far been available to those most at risk and people who need to leave home for work, including frontline NHS workers, care home staff and residents, and schoolchildren and their families. Now rapid testing will be offered to everyone, with people encouraged to take regular tests to help prevent outbreaks and reclaim a more normal way of life.
One in 3 people with COVID-19 do not experience any symptoms and may be spreading the virus unwittingly. Rapid testing detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately. Since rapid testing was introduced, over 120,000 positive cases that would not have been found otherwise have already been identified by LFDs. By making rapid tests available to everyone, more cases will be detected, breaking chains of transmission and saving lives.
Alongside the rollout of the vaccine, regular testing is going to be an essential part of the easing of restrictions as it will help us quickly suppress the spread of variants. Through new testing technology, positive cases of variants of concern are being detected faster than ever before. More people getting a test will increase our ability to identify and control variants.
The NHS COVID-19 app has been breaking chains of transmission to protect users and their communities since its launch in September, with over 22 million people downloading the app to date. Updates will be made to the NHS COVID-19 app in England to coincide with the offer of rapid testing for everyone.
In March, two British companies secured contracts with the government to supply rapid lateral flow tests, which will help prevent the virus from spreading and stop outbreaks from taking hold as restrictions are carefully lifted. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has agreed on contracts with Omega Diagnostics, headquartered in Alva in Scotland, and Global Access Diagnostics, based in Thurleigh to provide manufacturing capacity for up to 200 million COVID-19 lateral flow antigen tests, which detect positive cases quickly – in under 30 minutes – meaning positive cases can isolate immediately, breaking chains of transmission.
Around one in three people who have coronavirus do not have symptoms, so to help stop them from unknowingly passing it on, regular rapid testing is essential to find more positive cases. Lateral flow tests are helping children go back to school, keeping healthcare staff safe and making sure businesses can reopen. Including symptomatic and asymptomatic testing programmes, today the government is on track to surpass 100 million tests carried out in the UK.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “Massive efforts have been made by the British public to stop the spread of the virus.
“As we continue to make good progress on our vaccine programme and with our roadmap to cautiously easing restrictions underway, regular rapid testing is even more important to make sure those efforts are not wasted.
“That’s why we’re now rolling out free rapid tests to everyone across England – helping us to stop outbreaks in their tracks, so we can get back to seeing the people we love and doing the things we enjoy.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said, “Around 1 in 3 people who have COVID-19 show no symptoms, and as we reopen society and resume parts of life we have all dearly missed, regular rapid testing is going to be fundamental in helping us quickly spot positive cases and squash any outbreaks.
“The vaccine programme has been a shot in the arm for the whole country, but reclaiming our lost freedoms and getting back to normal hinges on us all getting tested regularly.
“The British public have shown over the last year that they quickly adapt and always do what it is right in the interest of public health, and I know they will do their bit by getting tested regularly in the months ahead.”
Getting a rapid test
Getting a rapid test is quick and convenient. Over 100,000 businesses in England have registered their interest to provide rapid tests to their employees, and the offer of free testing is being expanded to companies with over 10 workers where on-site testing is impossible. The expanded regular testing offer for people without symptoms will be delivered through:
a home ordering service, which allows people to order lateral flow tests online to be delivered to their home
workplace testing programmes, on-site or at home
community testing, offered by all local authorities
collection at a local PCR test site during specific test collection time windows
testing on-site at schools and colleges
A new ‘Pharmacy Collect’ service is also launching which will provide an additional route to regular testing. People aged over 18 without symptoms will be able to visit a participating local pharmacy and collect a box of 7 rapid tests to use twice a week at home.
If testing at home, individuals will need to register their results online or by calling 119. They should self-isolate if positive and order a confirmatory PCR test.
Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should book a test online or by calling 119.
Dr Susan Hopkins, COVID-19 Strategic Response Director at PHE and Chief Medical Adviser to NHS Test and Trace, said:
Rapid testing helps us find COVID-19 cases that we wouldn’t otherwise know about, helping to break chains of transmission. These tests are effective in detecting people that are infectious and therefore most likely to transmit the infection to others. They are another tool we now have to help maintain lower infection rates.
I encourage everyone to take up the offer of these free rapid tests – they are quick and easy to carry out in your own home.
Recent analysis from NHS Test and Trace shows that for every 1,000 lateral flow tests carried out, there is less than 1 false-positive result. LFDs detect cases with high levels of virus and are very effective in finding people who don’t have symptoms but are very likely to transmit the disease.
NHS COVID-19 app updates
To coincide with the offer of free rapid testing for everyone, there will be updates to the NHS COVID-19 app in England from 8 April:
Everyone in a group must check-in
In line with new regulations, when a group enters a hospitality venue, every individual must check either by scanning the official NHS QR code poster with the NHS COVID-19 app or by providing their contact details. Previously, only the lead member of the group needed to provide contact details to check-in.
Venue history sharing
If an app user tests positive, they will be asked to share their venue history in a privacy-protecting way via the app. This will allow venue alerts to be generated more quickly, and improve the ability to identify where outbreaks are occurring and take steps to prevent the virus from spreading.
Additional venue alerts
If a person has been at a venue on the same day as several other people who have since tested positive for COVID-19, they may receive an alert advising them to book a test immediately, whether they are showing symptoms or not. This is to support finding asymptomatic cases who may have caught the virus but are not displaying symptoms.
New QR code posters
There will be new posters displaying QR codes for hospitality venues in England. Work has taken place with the industry to make the posters clearer and easier to use. All venues in England in the scope of the regulations are legally required to display an official NHS QR code poster.
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17 Feb 2021
Pandemic Means Councillors Don't Have an Urgent Need For New Offices
Houghton Regis Town Councillors met virtually on the Monday, 15th February, to keep alive their 'New Office Sub-Committee'. But now councillors have gotten used to having their meetings online, and with the pandemic still in full swing, there seemed to be no mood to take any urgent action.
A report to the committee explained, “As Covid restrictions have continued, to date no member of staff has applied for flexible working. This may change as and when office working can resume. General feedback from staff appraisals showed support for a hybrid of office / home working. Legislation enables a council to meet remotely until 7th May 2021. At the present time, the government have indicated that they are not considering extending this. Due to the recent works on the offices, in particular the replacement floor, it is considered that the current offices are suitable to continue to use in the short term at least. ”
3 -2-2021
Deaths in Houghton Regis and Dunstable Due to COVID-19
Enter your postcode or interact with the map to see the number of deaths in an area. The size of the circle represents the number of deaths.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread across the vast majority of neighbourhoods in England and Wales. This interactive map allows you to see the number of deaths registered in the period March to December 2020, where COVID-19 was the underlying (main) cause on the death certificate.
Deaths over all months
Houghton Regis South 11
Houghton Regis North 7
Dunstable Central 20
Dunstable West 8
Dunstable East 8
Dunstable South 3
Dunstable Manshead 10
Lewsey North 16
Lewsey South 14
Notes:
Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs) are a small area statistical geography covering England and Wales. Each area has a similarly sized population (around 8,000 people on average) that remains stable over time.
MSOAs are not equivalent to entire towns or cities (they are much smaller). In total, there are 7,201 MSOAs across England and Wales.
Locally adopted MSOA names are provided by House of Commons Library. While these names are not officially supported for National Statistics, they are provided here to help local users.
Points on the map are placed at the centre of the local area they represent and do not show the actual location of deaths.
To protect confidentiality, a small number of deaths have been reallocated between neighbouring areas. Given the method used for this, figures for some areas may be different to previously published data.
Figures are for deaths registered rather than deaths occurring in each month.
Figures exclude death of non-residents and are based on August 2020 boundaries.
Deaths "due to COVID-19" include only deaths where COVID-19 was the underlying cause of death.
COUNCILLOR WHO DISMISSED FLIGHT PATH CONCERNS AS 'NIMBYISM' KNEW OF PLANS A YEAR BEFORE OTHER COUNCILLORS WERE TOLD
by Cllr Adam Zerny, Leader of the Independent Councillor Group at Central Bedfordshire Council
Leighton Buzzard councillor who called Potton residents NIMBYs knew about flight paths consultation a year before other councillors.
Airport insists telling two councillors amounts to informing the Council.
Flight paths consultation ends in just eight days - Have your say before it's too late!
News of the proposed new Luton flight paths came out of the blue last September. The changes would see big increases in the volume of low-flying flights heading over Potton, Biggleswade, Arlesey, Stotfold, Wrestlingworth and many other towns and villages in Central Beds [1].
One of the key issues raised by residents and councillors alike when Luton Airport's consultation began in November 2020 was that there had seemingly been no prior notification of changes to flight paths. The first we knew was when the consultation on final options appeared online. What's more, for many communities, all options in the consultation see flights going straight overhead.
However, it has since come to light that TWO Central Bedfordshire councillors have known about the planned changes since 2019!
In November last year, a motion was put to Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) by Independent, Adam Zerny, seeking agreement from councillors that the Council strongly oppose the controversial flight paths consultation being conducted by Luton Airport. The motion was passed, but not everyone agreed. Several councillors abstained including Cllr Bowater (Conservative, Leighton Buzzard). Cllr Berry (Conservative, Leighton Buzzard) even voted against it! [2].
Indeed Cllr Berry even went to the trouble of arguing against the motion; he dismissed opposition to increased flights as "WIMPA. Why In My Potton Area. Quite simply it's a NIMBY situation.”
Even though councillors are not usually permitted ad hoc presentations, Cllr Berry spoke with a map of the flight routes behind him. He said "There is no direct effect on our people which isn't there already", which may come as news to residents of Potton, Gamlingay, Wrestlingworth, Arlesey and Stotfold who will see a significant increase in air traffic volume if the proposals go ahead. To view the meeting webcast see [3] in the appendix.
After the Council meeting, we contacted Luton Airport with a couple of questions. We asked whether it was true that one of the easterly flight paths options appeared to miss Leighton Buzzard completely with routes going right around the town, an option which was seemingly unavailable in other areas. Luton Airport confirmed this was the case [4]. So much for Cllr Berry branding Potton residents as NIMBYs!
Still unaware of the councillors' involvement, we asked Luton Airport to send me the minutes of any meetings which had taken place with councillors, prior to the announcement of the public consultation.
The airport forwarded the documents and while scanning through them, two familiar names could be seen on the committee list.
Slightly taken aback, we then asked Luton Airport to confirm it had ever consulted with CBC or any of its councillors earlier in the process.
It said it had been in touch with councillors as early as March 2019 and CBC councillors had been shown the routes in December 2019 at a Noise & Track Sub Committee (NSTC) of the Luton Airport Consultative committee (LLACC). It seemed Cllr Berry attended the meeting and according to Luton Airport both Cllr Berry and Cllr Bowater would have received a document with plans for the project showing flights heading right over Potton, Biggleswade and Arlesey.
Luton Airport says there was also a public engagement day in February 2020 to provide an update on the process of choosing new flight paths. It confirms Cllr Bowater and Berry both accepted an invite.
It seems that by July 2020, Cllr Berry had stood down from LLACC and instead Cllr Perry (Conservative, Caddington) and Cllr Bowater were CBC's representatives. Neither attended the last documented meeting [5] in July 2020 although Luton Airport says committee members would always be sent the minutes.
The minutes of these meetings are online and it can be seen Cllrs Berry and Bowater have been recorded as members of the committee as far back as 2015 [5].
We thought it might be worth checking with CBC whether it knew anything about this. CBC told us it logs all councillors who sit on external bodies on this web page. The LLACC members are listed as Cllr Bowater and Cllr Perry.
And yet I cannot recall any occasion during the years prior to the public consultation where Cllrs Bowater, Berry or Perry ever made CBC councillors aware of anything about these proposed flight paths changes. Senior Council officers say CBC has not been contacted by the airport for it’s contribution to any discussion of new flight paths.
It seems very odd that each of the councillors who had served on these committees represented the south of Central Beds and not affected areas elsewhere.
We contacted Cllrs Berry and Bowater to ask if they told other councillors, council officers or committees about these flight path changes but neither responded to my enquiries.
The public consultation ends on 5th February so there is just one week to go. Have your say!
"This Council strongly opposes the current flight path proposals put forward by Luton Airport and NATS which affect most residents within Central Bedfordshire. It is completely inappropriate that those in the most affected areas are presented only with options resulting in large numbers of flights directly overhead. Furthermore, in light of this lack of options and the significant changes wrought on international travel by COVID, this Council believes the only appropriate course of action would be for Luton Airport to recommence the whole process, considering all options and this time include affected residents and local authorities right from the start. This Council asks the Portfolio Holder for Community Services and the Assistant Director for Community Services to write to Luton Airport and NATS requesting this course of action"
[3] Webcast can be seen on here from 2.04.38. Cllr Berry can be heard from 2.13.18.
[4] Luton Airport added that 'Under a previous airspace change implemented in May 2006, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) placed a condition on LLA arrivals which is that arriving traffic for Runway 07 (formerly Runway 08, designation changed in May 2020 due to magnetic variation) should not be routinely vectored over the town of Leighton Buzzard, unless tactically unavoidable. We infer that the intent of this CAA condition is to minimise overflight of the town (whether via a published route, or vectoring), unless tactically unavoidable. See CAA Airspace Policy, Post Implementation Review letter dated 31 Jan 2008, ref 8AP/066/02/06/02 p.3 para 2.2.3 et seq.'
These Descent Paths Over Toddington, north of Houghton Regis and Stanbridge and Leighton Linslade taken from video at Consultation documents would be used about 30% of the time, depending on the direction of the wind.
27-1-2021
CBC to Send COVID-19 Stewards to Houghton Hall Park
Central Bedfordshire Council has employed 16 COVID-19 stewards to support businesses and the public in increasing understanding of COVID-19 public health measures, such as social distancing, wearing face coverings in appropriate settings and hand washing.
The stewards are undertaking patrols across Central Bedfordshire to engage, explain and encourage best practices and promote the national guidance around COVID-19. The stewards have no enforcement powers, but they will gather intelligence and information on potential COVID-19 regulation breaches and feedback to the relevant officers in the Council to support further investigation and possible enforcement. They will also report incidents to Bedfordshire Police.
At the Houghton Regis Partnership Committee on Tuesday 26 January, CBC Councillor for Tithe Farm, Patrick Hamill, said he had noticed large numbers of people taking their exercise in the Park and was concerned that they were not social distancing enough. The officer representing CBC said that she hoped the stewards would visit the park and explain to people the reasons for social distancing.
The new stewards, who are working from 9am to 9pm seven days a week, will be undertaking visits in Biggleswade, Sandy, Leighton Buzzard, Dunstable, Ampthill, Flitwick, Shefford and Houghton Regis.
The stewards will be wearing video cameras on their bodies and high visibility jackets to identify them as Council COVID-19 stewards.
Officers from CBC's public protection and community safety teams will also be continuing to undertake regular patrols and visits to businesses across the whole of Central Bedfordshire, to ensure everyone is adhering to government guidelines and offering advice and support where needed.
The stewards are being provided through a contract with CYS Security Ltd and have been hired initially for 12 weeks, starting from 11 January 2021.
Anyone who has concerns about businesses not complying with the measures set out, should email trading.standards@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk with the subject ‘COVID Business Compliance’. Reports will then be investigated by the appropriately delegated officers.
21-1-2021
Leighton Buzzard Party Organisers Breached COVID Regulations — Fined £10,000
The public are being warned of the consequences of attending large gatherings during lockdown after the organiser of a New Year’s Eve party attended by dozens of people was issued with a £10,000 fine.
Bedfordshire Police have published an open letter to anyone looking to attend large gatherings such as parties, protests or funerals which breach the existing regulations, warning that officers will take enforcement action to disperse large groups of people.
The fresh call comes after the action was taken against the organiser of a party at a location near Leighton Buzzard.
On 31 December officers called to the site had found a marquee with a number of tables and chairs, a small dance floor and four speakers. The organiser was spoken to and given words of advice.
When officers returned later they found around 50 people in attendance.
Police were able to bring the event to a close and disperse the attendees. After reviewing the evidence, officers have now issued a £10,000 fine to the main organiser for breaching Covid-19 regulations.
Chief Superintendent John Murphy, who is leading Bedfordshire Police’s response to the coronavirus, said, “Throughout the pandemic, we have been working with our partners to urge and remind members of the public to adhere to the government guidance so we can all play our part in stopping the spread of the virus, so it is astonishing to see people brazenly and blatantly ignoring these rules.
“This party was not only a huge breach, but also showed a total lack of respect to those people who haven’t been able to attend the funeral of a loved one, or spend Christmas and New Year with their friends and family, which is why we have not taken this lightly and have taken firm action.
“We understand the past 10 months have been difficult for everyone and we are grateful to those who have been following the guidelines, but the pressure on the NHS is still immense and we all need to everything we can to keep ourselves and others safe.”
The open letter from Assistant Chief Constable Sharn Basra outlines the local picture in the county and why it is so important that people continue to stick to the rules.
“There are restrictions on travel and gatherings, but the single most important action we can take is to stay at home,” ACC Basra said in the letter.
“Bedfordshire Police strongly advises people not to attend any gathering, for the protection of yourselves and others. We are still in the middle of a global pandemic.”
There are exemptions that apply to gatherings, for example those that are necessary for the purposes of work, providing emergency assistance or escaping the risk of harm, such as those fleeing domestic abuse.
Bedfordshire Police have issued 103 fixed penalty notices over Covid-19 regulation breaches over the past week, with 399 incidents having been reported to the force over the same timeframe.
As well as the New Year’s Eve party fine, the force's investigation into a funeral in Dunstable in October attended by a significant number of people is also ongoing, with a case file having been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Kathryn Holloway said, “While I completely understand how heart-breaking it must be not to be able to attend a funeral or a wedding and a large wake or reception afterwards, I do not accept that a single member of the public does not understand that this is not possible at a time when the NHS is seeing more beds occupied by patients with a single illness than at any time in its history – 42 per cent - and when local infection rates remain stubbornly high.
“Bedfordshire Police has invested significant effort in making sure that leaders in all places of worship, funeral directors, crematoria and venues which are available for the public to rent are aware that they will also personally be held responsible and made subject to fines, as well as those who make a booking with them if they collude in the law being broken.
“These laws were not made on a whim but to prevent deaths and our hospitals being overwhelmed. There are no exceptions."
Cllr Ian Dalgarno, Executive Member for Community Services at Central Bedfordshire Council, added: “People flouting the current national restrictions in place are showing disregard for the health of the public and, with the support of the police, we will enforce fines to those who do not comply.
“We need everyone to maintain social distancing and restrict contact more than ever as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the local area. We will continue to work with the police to enforce the local rules, and our new Covid-19 stewards will be working directly with the public and businesses to ensure that breaches are reported and acted on.”
For more information on the current Covid-19 guidelines and what you can and cannot do under the national lockdown, you can visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Anyone wishing to report a breach of Covid-19 guidelines can do so via the online reporting tool.
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24-12-2020
Residents urged to follow restrictions to stop Covid-19 spread over the Christmas Period
Local Authorities, Bedfordshire Police and health bosses in Bedfordshire and Luton have joined up to urge residents to ‘play their part’ and abide by Tier 4 restrictions over the Christmas period.
This follows a steep rise in new Covid-19 cases and hospital admissions in the area.
Tier 4 restrictions mean that residents in Bedfordshire and Luton must stay at home, apart from limited exceptions. Within Tier 4 people cannot meet indoors with people from other households, including over the Christmas and New Year period, unless they are part of a support bubble - you cannot form a Christmas bubble in Tier 4. Outdoors, people can only meet one person from another household in a public space.
Dr Nicola Smith, Clinical Chair for NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Groups said, “The increase in infections is a significant cause for concern locally. We’re already seeing more patients that need urgent care as a result of Covid-19. By acting now and following the guidance, you can help reduce the spread of the virus and help keep Covid-19 hospital admissions down.”
She added:, “We know that residents have made many significant sacrifices in recent times and to have restrictions in force over the Christmas period is extremely difficult for many families, but this is the best way to protect your friends, family and loved ones.”
Chief Superintendent John Murphy said, "We know how difficult and upsetting it must be for people who have been making plans to see loved ones this Christmas, particularly after all the sacrifices they have already made this year. Many of our officers and staff also live in Bedfordshire so personally share that disappointment, but we must remember this is a public health emergency and the rules have been put in place to keep us all safe.
“The number of cases across Bedfordshire continues to rise at a concerning rate and the pressure on our local hospitals and NHS is stark. So it is more important than ever for people to follow the guidance, stay home and ultimately help save lives. We really don’t want to have to fine people for trying to see loved ones at this special time of year, which is why we are asking everyone to once again play their part – which means delaying your celebrations until it is safe or thinking of alternative ways of connecting with family and friends. The only way we will beat this deadly virus is by a collective effort to stop the spread.”
Cllr James Jamieson, the outgoing Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council said, “Coronavirus cases have been increasing rapidly in our area over recent weeks and we are also seeing an increasing number of people needing hospital treatment due to covid.
"Our hospitals and other NHS and care services, are always under greater pressure in the winter than at other times of the year. Everyone must play their part in protecting the NHS and saving lives by staying at home and not mixing with people they don’t live with. “
Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson said, “Cases of COVID-19 are rising at an alarming rate in Bedford Borough with latest figures showing that cases here are doubling every week. We know that many people were hoping to see family and friends over this time, and having to change plans is a real blow in what has already been a very difficult year.
“But, urgent action is needed as we try to contain the spread of this virus. Our Environmental Health team, the COVID marshals and the Police visited businesses to provide advice and support following the Tier Four announcement at the weekend. They will continue to be a presence in town and at supermarkets to assist and ensure people continue to follow the rules in place to keep us all safe.
“The ‘stay at home’ order in tier four is now law and we need everyone to play their part.”
Cllr Hazel Simmons, Leader of Luton Council, said: “This horrific disease is spreading dangerously quickly across our region and we must all do whatever we can to break the transmission before our health services become overrun.
“This is the worst possible message to be delivering at Christmas time but the single best action we can take to protect each other is to stay at home and not mix with people we don’t live with.”
Anyone with symptoms must immediately self-isolate for seven days and should only leave the house to access a test.
Regional and local test sites will operate on slightly reduced hours on some public holidays as well as on Christmas and New Year’s Eve but will be open as normal on other days.
To book a site test or a home test go to www.gov.uk/coronavirus or if you don’t have internet access contact the telephone call centre on 119 between 7am and 11pm.
For those that live and work in Luton and do not have Covid-19 symptoms (and are not self-isolating), rapid lateral flow testing is available. These tests do not require a laboratory and return rapid results within 45 minutes.
You need a mobile phone number to apply online for a coronavirus test.
If you do not have one, you can call 119 - the contact centre - to get a test in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Calls to 119 are free from mobiles and landlines.
Zoo Is Allowed to Reopen - Over 100,000 Signatures in a Day!
Zoos in England are to be allowed to reopen their doors to visitors from 15 June 2020. Also permitted to reopen will be outdoor attractions where people stay in their cars, such as safari parks or drive-in cinemas, and takeaway food services.
But some things will have to remain closed like aquariums, reptile houses, other indoor exhibitions, cafes, and gift shops.
Earlier in the evening, a petition that had just 111 signatures at 10am on the morning of 9 June, was on course to get 100,000 signatures by 10:30pm. At 100,000 signatures Parliament would have had to consider debating it.
The 100,000 signatures were actually reached just after 11pm, with over 1,000 signatures coming from South West Bedfordshire, Andrew Selous' constituency where ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is situated.
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3 Nov 2020
Whipsnade Zoo Will Be Forced to Close on 5 November
Whipsnade Zoo has said that is devastated by the news that it must close ZSL Whipsnade Zoo again on Thursday due to the COVID-19 pandemic measures being put in place by the UK Government.
A spokesperson for the Zoo wrote, "While we understand this national action is necessary to curb the spread of coronavirus, it adds a huge burden to an incredibly tough year for us. Our focus throughout has always been keeping our animals happy and well cared for, and knowing we would be able to share the joy of the zoo with visitors again.
“But once more we will need to shoulder the costs for the food and care of our 20,000 animals with no way to generate income for ourselves.
“We have spent the last day digesting this difficult news and working out the next steps to make sure all our visitors are looked after. Thanks for your patience while we did this, here is what you need to know:
- If you have a TICKET BOOKED during the forthcoming closure (Nov 5 – Dec 2) we will contact you before Thursday, and swap your ticket for a flexi-ticket that can be used anytime for a full year once we re-open.
- If you have an ANIMAL EXPERIENCE BOOKED during the forthcoming closure (Nov 5 – Dec 2), we will contact you as soon as possible to rearrange a new date. We will contact people in order of the date they had booked, in order to re-book people as fairly as possible.
- If you have MEET SANTA tickets for November dates we will contact you to arrange a refund or rebook you if we can (spaces for December are currently sold out, so we are looking at whether additional slots can be safely added).
- We will be in touch with OUR MEMBERS, PATRONS AND FELLOWS directly with a personal message from our Director General so please look out for an email in the coming days.
“Finally, thank you – many of you have already reached out with kind words of support and that has been really appreciated at this challenging time.”
If you want to do anything further to help the zoo through the next month we would welcome donations of any size to help feed and care for our animals: zsl.org/donate ❤️ #YourZoosNeedYou
“Don’t let London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo go extinct”
Sir David Attenborough
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1 Jan 2021
Whipsnade Zoo - “It is Ok to Visit” — MP
Andrew Selous, MP, told News Desk, “The government has listened to concerns I and other MPs have raised on behalf of zoos and from the 26th of December it is now possible for people in Tier 4 areas to visit outdoor areas of zoos and other animal attractions.”
The regulations state:
6.16 Regulation 2(6)(d) amends Schedule 3A to the All Tiers Regulations to include a new exception for leaving home in Tier 4 as paragraph 2(2)(da), which is to visit: outdoor attractions at an aquarium, zoo or safari park; or outdoor animal attractions at a farm, wildlife centre or any other place where animals are exhibited to the public as an attraction. An amendment is also made to permit these attractions to open in Tier 4 by regulation 2(6)(aa) and (bb).
Andrew added, “I am absolutely delighted by this because being able to go to Whipsnade will be very special for many local people. These visits will provide much-needed income to our zoos and enable Whipsnade’s leading global conservation work to continue. ”
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31 Mar 2021
Our local zoo is pleased to be re-opening!
It's that time we've all been waiting for, the Zoos are re-opening and you can now book your early bird tickets for a great day out!
The animals are so excited to welcome visitors back. At ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, visit their youngest elephant Beth with her family, and if you're lucky you might catch a glimpse of nine-month old Red panda cub, Nilo.
And at ZSL London Zoo, come and meet the new tigress, Gaysha, and see how much six-month-old okapi, Ede has grown.
With everyone is ready for a day out the priority for the zoo is to re-open safely and responsibly, in line with the Government schedule. So they will have social distancing in place and reduced capacities. Tickets are, therefore, limited, but the good news is that tickets are on sale through to August so you can book ahead for your summer trip now. Make a booking now!
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has made its final report recommending changes for ward boundaries in Central Bedfordshire. Changes will take place in Houghton Regis. If approved by Parliament the new boundaries will be used in local elections in 2023.
By Alan D. Winter.
The Boundary Commission are proposing that Central Bedfordshire should have 63 councillors; 4 more than at present. These should represent nine single-councillor wards, 12 two-councillor wards and ten three-councillor wards across Central Bedfordshire.
In all, the proposals are that the boundaries of 19 wards should change while 12 will remain the same.
The proposed changes must now be approved by Parliament, so the legal document which brings into force their recommendations will now be laid before Parliament.
One of the aims of the review was to create wards where one council-elected member represents as many voters as another council member, as equally as possible, ideally within 10% of being exactly equal.
During the consultation, the Commission was challenged on its figures for development around Houghton Regis. The Commission considered the evidence carefully and was content that the original 2025 forecast is a reasonable estimate of the forecast number of electors likely to be present in the authority in 2026.
Central Bedfordshire Council currently has 59 councillors. After looking at the evidence provided by the Council the Commission concluded that increasing the number of councillors by four to 63 will ensure the Council can carry out its roles and responsibilities effectively.
The proposed boundaries affect the whole of Central Bedfordshire. In this report I look at our local areas:
It had been suggested during consultation that Toddington ward be split into two single sized wards, but the Commission decided not to adopt that approach.
Wards in Leighton Buzzard are to be renamed to Leighton-Linslade North, Leighton-Linslade South and Leighton-Linslade West respectively, in order to better reflect the growing coalescence between the two towns.
New ward names are to be given to adjusted Dunstable and Houghton Regis areas.
Despite some opposition to combining Parkside and Tithe Farm, the Commission decided it better to combine them. These, together with some boundary adjustment will become Houghton Regis East and be served by three councillors, rather than one each as at present. The Painters estate would be included in Houghton Regis East.
The Commission faced local opposition to original plans for the boundary between East and West wards in Houghton Regis. Consequently, the Commission took the Houghton Brook as a new boundary, which it considers to be more identifiable to local electors.
The Central Bedfordshire Council and Houghton Regis Town Council also disputed an early choice to use the B5120 as the boundary between the two Houghton Regis wards. However, they subsequently have decided to retain this boundary, as they consider the B5120 a stronger and more recognisable feature to use as a ward boundary than Tithe Farm Road.
The commission also considered other proposals for dividing Houghton Regis, including splitting Houghton Regis West into two single councillor wards, but in the end were not persuaded.
In Dunstable Councillor Gurney's proposals found favour with the Commission. It was persuaded by the evidence received that the creation of a two-councillor Dunstable East ward and a single-councillor Dunstable South ward, with the boundary running along the Luton–Dunstable Busway and to the rear of properties on Great North Road, would represent community identities more effectively, while still maintaining good electoral equality.
An early proposal by the Commission to move part of Dunstable parish around Northfields Academy areainto Houghton Regis West was opposed. Subsequently, the Commission has relented and instead moved this area back into the newly named Dunstable North ward.
Commissions Recommendations for Town & Parish Councils
Dunstable parish.
Final recommendations:
Dunstable Town Council should comprise 18 councillors, as at present,
representing five wards:
Parish ward / Number of parish councillors
Central 2
East 5
North 4
South 2
West 5
Houghton Regis parish.
Final recommendations:
Houghton Regis Town Council should comprise 14 councillors, as at present, representing three wards:
When outline planning permission was granted to a consortium for 1850 homes it did not include a Class 2 residential care home. So when three FULL planning applications arrived for a local centre for Bidwell West as well as a 66 bed care home, it was a surprise to all those following developments in this area.
David Skinner, a member of the public, addressed the meeting representing Houghton Regis Community Development Charity (HRCC). In a Late Sheet objection from HRCC it said, “We remain firmly of the opinion that this is a scheme that falls a long way short of the benchmarked aspirations articulated in the masterplan. The failure to engage the community in what they would see as important in their new centre stands in contrast to the consultations which have been made in advance of other local schemes. We are unconvinced of the architectural merit of this scheme. We do not perceive it as being distinctive or unique but rather a scheme such as the applicants have tried elsewhere.The improvements to the scheme are modest ...” (read in full the Late Sheet at foot of this page.)
Cllr Susan Goodchild (CBC Houghton Hall) put in a robust series of comments near the start of the decision making meeting objecting to the planning applications saying they were not what was originally hoped for to be at the heart of this Bidwell West development of 1850 homes. Cllr Goodchild urged the committee to consider the proposals in their entirety. Read Susan's full address to DMC in the footnotes on this page.
The decision for these applications was originally hoped for by mid-August 2020 and was eventually passed by Central Bedfordshire Council's Development Management Committee(DMC) on 9 December. It took councillors over three hours of debate before an outcome for the first application CB/20/01537/FULL for shops with blocks of flats, was decided. Eventually, the committee was split, and it was decided on the chairman's casting vote to NOT to refuse the application. Then they voted 9 to 4 NOT to defer the item. Finally, voting was 7 to approve the application (with some suggested adjustments to be inserted by officers) and 6 against.
Houghton Regis Town Council spent a lot of time discussing the plans and was supposed to have been represented at the DMC at this deciding meeting but the nominated councillor failed to get his technology working and so was unable to virtually attend the meeting that took place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The second of the applications was similar to the first, but separated out the proposed nursery from the shops. That was application CB/20/01545/FULL. Voting on that took place after a somewhat shorter debate. For refusal 4; Against refusal 8.
The only Houghton Regis CBC councillor on the committee, and therefore entitled to vote, Cllr Hamill, had technological problems as he declared that his PC went off for a minute. Because of that, and that therefore he missed part of the arguments, he wasn't allowed to vote, even though he had seconded the original motion to refuse permission.
Voting then took place on the final resolution to approve the application and 8 approved it, with those against being 3.
Finally, debate took place over the third application CB/20/01538/FULL — for a 66-bed care home facing onto Thorn Road and its associated car parking and landscaping. The care home was not envisaged in the outline planning application. Access to this site would be through the car park of the shopping area. Councillors found very little to complain about with this application and ultimately they voted to approve of this.
The upshot of all these three planning applications being approved is that the CGI visualisations on this page from the plans, will, unless further alternative plans come forward, someday become the reality of the local centre on the Bidwell West location.
Cllr Pat Hamill wrote afterwards on his Facebook Page, “Community Hub setup is scuppered by Tory's voting to dump flats in front of the proposed build now to be hidden from public view.
That's what the Tory's think of community buildings for Houghton Regis.
We lose one above the old Coop due to fire and assured we would get a replacement and they cannot even honour that.
Your town is being ransacked by developers at will and with Tory support as greenbelt gets eaten up just to satisfy Lutons unmet housing need. CBC is deserting those they are elected to serve and I have been fighting back and will continue to do so. Your voice is being heard, I can assure you of that.”
“The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so the shop frontages on the right hand side of the image above will be in shadow for most of the day, potentially creating an unwelcoming place for visitors. Coupled with the over-bearing car parking arrangements this will encourage people to go there, get what they want, and drive away as quickly as possible. The original hope was for an area that helped to create a community space to bring new residents together. A space for a community centre has been allocated to the south, i.e. off to the right of the picture above, so the shop frontages will turn themselves away from the community building. You can only imagine how the back of these shops might look as they face onto the community building, and here, I'm thinking 'back of Bedford Square'.
“I'm making this comment having had the chance to mull things over after listening to a recording of councillors debate the issues for three hours and then sleeping on it. There's a lot to be said for hindsight. The debate sparked off my thoughts. If the councillors had deferred their decision until they had had a sleep, there might have been a different outcome seeking planners to come up with a more integrated comprehensive outcome. Even if they had discussed and then deferred making a decision until they had discussed all three applications, INSTEAD of deciding them separately, there might have been a better outcome.*
“Parking spaces have been designed at the boring traditional level. What do I mean by that? I mean at right angles to the roadway. The best ever parking I've seen was Highways England car park when J11A was being constructed. At 33% or so to the line of the roadway, drivers don't have to ponce about turning their wheels to get into a parking bay.
“The plans that have been approved are uninteresting and uninspiring. A care home where visitors have to drive through a car park to get there. A rather bland looking row of shopfronts, where no one will want to linger longer than they have to. A centre that shuns a proposed local community hub, instead of being integral to it. In all, a sad day for planning for the future.”
66 Bed Care Home
A 66-bed care home and its associated car park gained planning approval on 9 December 2020. The care home was not envisaged in the outline planning application.
Local Centre building’, ‘Pavilion’ and ‘Residential Block’
This was approved 9 Dec 2020 by CBC councillors.
An alternative ‘Local Centre building’ with a detached nursery and ‘Pavilion’
Cllr Susan Goodchild address to the DMC 9 Dec 2020
I, like others, was shocked and bewildered when 3 separate full applications came forward in May this year for the Bidwell West Local Centre. Shocked, because the site already had outline planning permission under the Bidwell West Development Consortium application approved in 2015 laying out the size and character of the Local Centre. Bewildered, as to why there were now 3 separate full applications, trying to understand how they all related to each other, and trying to understand the real motivation for this approach.
I, with other residents of Houghton Regis, was at Priory House when the Bidwell West Development Consortium application was discussed and approved in July 2015. I spoke at that meeting understanding that it was a major, strategic-scale, development of up to 1,850 homes and associated infrastructure, of huge importance to existing and future residents. I had many concerns about the development but took comfort in the fact that there would be some certainty about what was to be delivered, of critical importance was the delivery of a high quality, mixed-use, sustainable, Local Centre, the very hub of the community, I thought this was secured and would be delivered through the Bidwell West Development permission, the Local Centre should have come forward as a, relatively straightforward, reserved matters application under the outline planning permission.
Why did the development of this Local Centre not come forward as a reserved matters application? Crucially, the consented Bidwell West development does not include provision for a Class C2 Residential Institution and the number of dwellings is limited to 1,850. In other words, the current applications deviate from the outline planning permission.
Although there are 3 applications the Committee will need to consider the proposals in their entirety. Of course, you must look at each application on its own merits, but I would respectfully point out a single Planning Statement has been submitted to support all 3 applications. To quote from the Planning Statement, section 1.3 -
All three applications will be submitted concurrently. This Planning Statement considers all elements of the scheme that has been conceived as a whole to ensure a comprehensive approach to the development of this local centre site.
I would also ask the Committee to pay close attention to the Red Line boundaries to understand how all 3 sites intersect and are dependent on each other.
In effect the proposals change the character and squeeze more development onto the Local Centre site than was originally envisaged, this in my opinion, results in a very noticeable and detrimental over-development of the site making it an unattractive place to live, work, shop, learn, play and congregate in. Houghton Regis North was meant to be a Strategic Urban Extension delivering high quality community facilities and these proposals do not tick that box.
There is another aspect to consider, and I do not say this lightly, the proposals have been (really quite cleverly it has to be said) so structured as to effectively ‘bounce’ Central Bedfordshire Council into granting the developer exactly what they want. One of the key issues it to understand the difference between the 52 apartment option and the 22 apartment option, surprisingly, it is not quantum of homes, but the fact they are for 2 different sites in that they cover different areas. Clearly, this requires some explanation, the 52 apartment option covers 0.75ha, the 22 apartment option is for 0.49ha, that is a difference of 0.26ha. You might reasonably conclude 52 apartments is an over-development of the site and approve the 22 apartment option, but that would leave a quarter-of-a-hectare block of land undeveloped slap bang in the middle of the Local Centre – in effect a ‘ransom-strip’. That scenario would put the developer in a very powerful position, they could come forward with an application for a residential block on that land in the future or simply use it to delay delivery of the Local Centre until they get what they want, I will not mince my words here, granting either option for the residential development will, inevitably, lead to an over-developed, third-rate Local Centre scheme.
I acknowledge the applicants have proposed a number of amendments to the original scheme, these have largely been improvements including reducing the retail space and car parking and increasing the public realm and landscaping. However, these do not address the fundamental issue of over-development and poor connectivity.
I am also very disappointed with the level and scope of S106 contributions, it is true to say there is serious under-funding for the Community Centre under the Bidwell West planning permission (Bidwell West would have a much better development if the scheme did not have to contribute 5 million pounds of S106 money for off-site roadworks).
It is the role of the Development Management Committee to make difficult decisions, I very much want to see the Bidwell West Local Centre developed, but I want all 3 of the current applications to be refused, they cannot deliver what was committed to: a high quality, attractive, well connected Local Centre to be proud of.
* Editors Comment
edited 4 hours after publication. The edited underlined portion previously said "Even if they had deferred a decision on all three applications BEFORE deciding on any one of them, there might have been a better outcome." This was edited to give better meaning to what I intended to write. AW.
