Tim Hill

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Elstow, Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick. Learn more

My formal objection to Eco-town proposals for Marston Vale

by timhill on 13 June, 2008

Dear Sir/Madam (DCLG)

As one of the Bedford Borough Councillors for the Borough Ward of Wootton and following receipt of a letter from our Head of Planning, I wish to formally object to the Eco-town proposals of New Marston and Marston Vale.

I support the basic principles of new housing that responds to climate change, a sustainable future and an increased housing supply. However, I believe the Eco-town proposals of New Marston and Marston Vale are flawed for the following reasons:

a) They will mean effectively no green fields in a direct line from Junction 13 of the M1 to the Marsh Leys roundabout near Kempston.

b) Existing development plans in place such as Stewartby 2000 will, together with these proposals, mean that the Marston Vale will have almost 3 times the existing expected development in the current Growth Area. Thus these proposals will far exceed existing projected demand.

c) Even once the A421 is dualled, the A421 and the B530 will really struggle to cope with the likely increased traffic from the Eco-towns.

d) The Eco-town proposals of New Marston and Marston Vale merge existing, settled communities into one great mass of housing.

In summary, whilst the Eco-town proposals of New Marston and Marston Vale meet the increased housing supply principle, they are a direct opposite to the other two principles.

I look forward to further correspondence on this matter.

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