DEVELOPERS are pushing ahead with their proposal to build 1,000 new homes and infrastructure in west Linslade despite the recession and failing to get backing for the scheme from the area's planners.

Paul Newman Homes intend to hold a public exhibition this summer prior to formally applying to Aylesbury Vale District Council for approval.

The announcement comes just a week after the all powerful Luton and South Beds joint committee snubbed two sites in Linslade and declared that they wanted to see housing growth in east Leighton.

The committee has been given the invidious job of finding space for more than 40,000 homes in the district over the next 23 years. The Linslade site, on land between Derwent Road and the Stoke Hammond Bypass, would be a western extension to the town although, technically, the land falls into the parish of Soulbury in Aylesbury Vale.

Fred Baron, spokesman for the Milton Keynes-based developers, said that any infrastructure planned would actually be built as part of the package.

He said: "Other developers claim to provide infrastructure when what they're actually doing is nothing more than reserving land for a medical centre etc.

"If we say we are providing a medical centre – and that part of Linslade is in need of improved medical and dental services – then we will actually put up the building.

"We are disappointed that the joint committee didn't include the site as part of its preferred options but we are still pushing ahead. There's quite a lot of time before we will be ready to go before the AVDC planners and we have meetings planned with both South Beds and Aylesbury officers.

" We have had quite a lot of feedback from the public and local residents and we welcome their involvement. We're planning an exhibition some time in the next few weeks to let the public see what we'd like to do."

Anyone wanting to comment or get information about the plan can contact Fred Baron 0207 357 6606 or by email fred.baron@localdialogue.com .