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MID BEDS EDITION
REVISED LOCAL PLAN BACK FOR CONSULTATION
CENTRAL Bedfordshire Council has announced another public consultation on its Local Plan for development.
The Local Plan attempts to show where houses will be built, in the central Beds area, over the next 15 years. This will involve a large numbers of houses to be constructed around Biggleswade, Arlesey, Stotfold and Cranfield. In 2018 the Plan was approved by CBC, despite opposition from some councillors, parish and town councils and a significant numbers of residents. Since then the Plan has been rejected by inspectors at public inquiry and heavily criticised in a damning Inspector’s report which highlighted 91 points of concern. The Inspectors sent it back to CBC and asked for further work to be done which will likely lead to a series of major changes. This is set against a number of personnel changes at the Council. Last November the council lost Jason Longhurst, the Director of Regeneration and Business who was responsible for the Local Plan and last week Richard Carr the Chief Executive gave six month’s notice of his resignation. CBC has begun another public consultation on
JULY 2020
Chief Exec:“I’m off”
CENTRAL Beds Council’s Chief Executive is to step down later this year. Richard Carr joined Central Bedfordshire Council in October 2009, he will be leaving at the end of his notice period in six months time. As the unitary authority’s senior officer, Mr Carr’s salary is £190,000 a year. His decision was revealed by council leader James Jamieson at a recent executive meeting. Independent group leader and Potton Cllr Adam Zerny said: “I believe CBC is in desperate need for reform and I can only hope his successor will show the energy and determination needed to make real changes. “A number of councillors are already asking how Mr Carr can carry on for six months when all around him know he’s on his way out.”
There is deep concern amongst many councillors over the state of CBC, with many issues needing to be resolved. Not least the highly critical OFSTED report of the children’s services department. The council’s local plan which is still subject to inspection is another cause for concern.
the latest changes to the Local Plan, which originally proposed up to 6,600 homes east of Biggleswade, of which 1,500 now have planning permission. On the basis of this scheme, the Council has received a £70m grant from the Government for infrastructure in Biggleswade – an electricity ‘superstation’; a transport interchange at the station; funding for secondary schooling and a bridle bridge for a notorious level crossing which forms part of the Biggleswade Green Wheel. There has been a further £150,000 of Government money made available to develop the 1,500 houses as a Garden Community. Madeline Russell, Mayor of Biggleswade commented: “The Town Council recognises that there will be development because of the town’s position on the A1 and the East Coast Main Line and with the proximity of the proposed East/West Rail. The Council therefore supports development to the east of the town as being more sustainable than in other areas.” View at https://centralbedfordshire.oc2.uk/
Futures in farming
BRITISH agriculture is going through dramatic changes creating opportunities for young people who can see a future in farming. At Shuttleworth College, part of The Bedford College Group, set in the Old Warden country park, Bedfordshire, a wide range of courses covering everything “outdoors” from agricultural to zoological careers await. In farming terms, Shuttleworth has an international reputation with agricultural expertise being shared across the globe by former students. Closer to home, British farming is ever more important for feeding the people of the UK. Head of Agriculture Education Anne-Marie Hamilton, the daughter of beef farmers, is keen to ensure that Shuttleworth College is seen as the “future of farming”. To that end she was part of a committee which set up a “virtual” Herts County Show enabling entrants in classes including livestock, equine, and even guinea pigs. AnneMarie gave a talk on Red Poll Cattle which are bred at the college farm at Old Warden. The herd was founded by a bull called Zulu which was bought with a donation made by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver who filmed an episode of a TV show on campus. If you want to sign up for land-based learning courses go to www.shuttleworth.co.uk Anne-Marie is pictured here with her collie Blue who is a great aid in the farming ‘classroom’.
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