Local Issues:
Since my last Elstow, Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick Echo, here are some of the local issues I have progressed, in some cases with the valued help and support of the relevant Parish Council.

Ward-wide
Covanta Incinerator – It is absolutely terrible news that the Environment Agency has issued its Environment Permit for this monstrosity.
– The Liberal Democrats and Bedford Borough Council under Mayor Dave Hodgson’s leadership have consistently been opposed to any incinerator in Stewartby. We were against the planning permission issued by the Infrastructure Planning Commission and we objected to any Environment Permit being issued.
– We have now submitted a complaint regarding the issuing of a permit by the Environment Agency to Covanta on grounds of ignoring local residents and objections made and not recognising potential health risks (including traffic movements) when the operation of the plant comes into place.

Massive housing proposal submitted – Shift Living – a development company only incorporated on 23 Dec 17 – have submitted a very late bid to the Local Plan 2035 consultation, for 9,000 homes across the south of the Borough.
– This awful proposal will stretch from Stewartby to the Cardington area. If approved, this would mean houses from Junction 13 of the M1 to Cotton End.
– This proposal was received late in 2017, nearly two years after the call for sites submission closed.
– The Council has a policy of villages not merging with other villages, which is why 4 sites each of 500 homes have been taken out of the proposed Local Plan. This particular proposal would merge the villages of Wootton, Marston Moretaine, Stewartby, Wixams, Elstow and Shortstown into one.
– This proposal is not part of the Local Plan currently out for consultation by Bedford Borough.

Elstow
Abbey Middle Demolition – This is planned for the next financial year. This site has been empty for several years and the building has become derelict. The building is unsuitable for any alternative use, so it has been proposed for demolition. The land, including the sports pitches, is to be held for any long term need for additional schools capacity in the area. There are no plans to build on the school land, although there are for the small green area just to the south of Moor Lane.

Weeds on Wilstead Road and High Street, and between Cow Bridge Cottage and the Interchange Roundabout –Local residents raised their concerns with me at the overgrown weeds in Wilstead Road and the High Street, and between Cow Bridge Cottage and the Interchange Roundabout. I raised these concerns with Borough Officers and the weeds have now largely been cleared. Please let me know if you see any other overgrown weeds anywhere.

Flooding at Cow Bridge, and at the junction of High Street and West End – Local residents have contacted me to raise their concerns on the continual flooding at Cow Bridge, and at the junction of High Street and West End. I have asked Borough Highways to investigate to ensure the flooding stops happening.

Stewartby
Planning permission to demolish the four chimneys and the kilns – The chimneys represent a historic landmark which encapsulates Stewartby’s heritage and tradition as a brick making community. There is a safety concern when high winds of 50mph are in the area. This has led Network Rail to currently stop services on the line which will become East West Rail, when these wind conditions exist. I have been liaising with the owners to promote a Heritage Implementation Scheme, which will include the re-building of one chimney with the words STEWARTBY in white glazed brick vertically down its length. This heritage scheme is a must, and will protect and recognise the area’s history and association with brickworks for future years to come. This heritage scheme is now the subject of a legal agreement between the Borough Council, English Heritage and the applicants. Until that agreement is signed by everyone, the demolition cannot take place.

Another massive housing proposal – Conservative-controlled Central Beds Council’s Local Plan is to build 5000 homes, made up 4 new villages between Junction 13 of the M1 and Marston Moretaine. These plans will engulf existing villages, including Lidlington and Brogborough. We have until the 22 Feb 18 to comment on Central Beds Local Plan.

Selfish parking outside Broadmead Lower School – A small minority of selfish drivers continue to park on the zig-zag lines outside Broadmead Lower. This unlawful action by drivers shows no consideration for fellow carers. The Borough Council is in the process of rolling out a programme of installing “Motion Cameras” outside those schools where this offence takes place regularly. “Motion Cameras” monitor driver behaviour on areas like zig-zag lines, record the offending vehicles and will lead to the issuing of Parking Fine Notices. I have been successful in getting Broadmead Lower included in this programme in the next financial year.

Advice Surgeries – I recently held an Advice Surgery at the junction of Montgomery Close and Stewartby Way. My thanks to all who came to raise their issues.

Kempston Hardwick
Weeds outside Railway Cottages – Local residents raised their concerns with me at the overgrown weeds outside Railway Cottages. I raised these concerns with Borough Officers and the weeds have now largely been cleared. Please let me know if you see any other overgrown weeds anywhere.

Advice Surgeries – I recently held an Advice Surgery on the Greenlakes Rise estate. My thanks to all who came to raise their issues.

Best Wishes
Cllr Tim Hill
Liberal Democrat Focus Team
Bedford Borough Councillor for Elstow, Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick
Tel (day): 0131 448 4270
mobile: 07910100240
email: tim.hill@bedford.gov.uk
Web site: http://timhill.mycouncillor.org.uk/

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