Developers wanting to build a 900-home estate in Linslade came up against a renewed backlash from critics this week.

Paul Newman New Homes is making a second attempt for the West Linslade Urban Extension on land at Valley Farm despite widespread condemnation of the scheme by MPs, councillors, residents and environment groups across two counties.

The Milton-Keynes-based company, pledged to building sustainable green homes, brought fresh plans to a public consultation exercise in Linslade on Friday.

Included in the outline scheme is 111-acres featuring 900 homes, ranging from one to five bed properties – 35 per cent of which will be social housing – accommodated along wide, tree-lined roads; a leisure centre and sports pitches; a countryside park, nature trails, bridleways, and cycle routes; offices, shops and business premises offering 450 jobs plus thousands of construction jobs during the building; a rest station for an ambulance; a 300-place primary school with nursery provision; a doctor's surgery with pharmacy and a dedicated bus service with real-time bus timetables.

The developers say they have listened to feedback from the original plan and have tweaked the scheme accordingly. It is anticipated an outline planning application will go in later this spring. If permission is given building on the three-phase project could start as early as next year.

Substantial financial contributions to a Section 106 agreement also provided the cash to improve the area's road network, public transport provision, education and other costs involved in integrating the scheme into the locality, said Adrian Cattell, land manager for PNNH. He also assured Bideford Green neighbours that the development would not burden the existing sewage system.

"The primary entrance to the site would be from Soulbury Road and the area will feature a priority bus route and access for emergency vehicles.

"All the infrastructure will be built in tandem with the housing. It won't be a case of building the houses first and leaving a space for infrastructure if the money becomes available. We don't work like that", he said.

The land, which sits in Aylesbury Vale but adjoins Derwent Road, Linslade, isn't currently included in the overall planning schemes for either Central Beds or AVDC and both authorities have pledged to rebuff the proposal.
Resident and critic Martin Probert, of Milebush, attended the public consultation and afterwards said: "The residents are totally opposed to this development as it's in the wrong place, will increase traffic congestion, the sewerage system is already over capacity and there is no work available."

Another resident, who lives in Costwold Drive, said: "I am dismayed that Paul Newman does not seem to know when his game is up. 

"This issue has been discussed to death at great public expense and residents worry over two years.

"The proposal has been roundly rejected so firmly that in the end only Paul Newman was in favour and he withdrew his application.

"His new proposal which he says addresses all the issues is just the same with minor changes.

"If this company has any dignity and morals would it not be time to walk away now ?  This land needs to be taken into public ownership now."

Details of the scheme are available on the website www.westlinslade.com
*What do you think of PNNH's plan? Write to the Leighton Buzzard Observer, 17 Bridge Street, Leighton Buzzard, Beds, LU7 1AH or email news@lbobserver.co.uk