Eco-Towns
I was initially supportive of the eco-town proposals. They were billed as an innovative and ambitious concept, which would make good use of brownfield land and involve no house building on the greenbelt, tackling the combined challenges of climate change, the need for more sustainable living and a real shortage of housing for families and first time buyers.
It is becoming increasingly clear that this is not what is being proposed by the developers.
As you know from my letter in the Times and Citizen and Beds on Sunday, I am deeply concerned by any proposed housing development, particularly where it is out of proportion to existing villages, facilities and infrastructure
For eco-towns, there is a four stage consultation process. Stage one is a three month preliminary consultation which ends in late June. Stage two is a further more detailed consultation over the summer. Stage three is the final short listing later this year. Stage four the submission of a planning application.
During stage two I will be campaigning heavily to ensure that the consultation is far reaching and that the views of residents and small business owners are heard. If they are not, I will work with action groups to launch a legal challenge to the consultation process, or a judicial review of the final short listing. Early indications are that residents feel poorly informed and poorly consulted. This is unacceptable.
The Marston Vale is an area where house building is inevitable due to its proximity to both Milton Keynes and Bedford. But now is our opportunity to shape the proposals into intelligent plans with respect for both the countryside and existing development. Endless columns of flats are neither the solution to our housing needs nor asthetically pleasing.
I will be increasingly vocal on this subject in coming weeks - my priority being to ensure that the voices of residents are heard in the consulation, and that any development has the input and support of the community.
