'˜Robocop' and '˜Terminator' back battle over Leighton street

Robot warriors have lent a superhuman hand to a Leighton Buzzard campaign fighting a proposed access route through a quiet street.

‘Save Our Streets (SOS) Vesta Grove’ was launched by residents due to plans by Taylor Wimpey to use Vesta Grove as an access route for a new estate of 165 homes.

Campaigner Matthew Wood was thrilled when a friend got hold of Arnie impersonator Stuart Arnold aka “The Entertainernater”, who agreed to film a clip with fellow web stars Gordon Hill aka “Wealdstone Raider” and a Robocop impersonator.

In the video, the menacing trio stand up for Vesta Grove families and take aim at Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes over the planned access route.

Vesta GroveVesta Grove
Vesta Grove

But behind the laughs, SOS Vesta Grove say they still have an uphill battle to prevent the street from brimming with cars.

Mr Wood said: “It’s just about brand awareness! There’s nothing much we can do but speak to people coming out of the sales office until the plans are submitted.

“We accept the development was going to be there, but none of us were told about the access route, and it’s going to be a traffic nightmare.”

Mr Wood said the group’s concerns about the planned access route were being taken on board by CBC councillors and also had the support of South West Beds MP Andrew Selous.

Vesta GroveVesta Grove
Vesta Grove

Cllr Amanda Dodwell told the LBO that planning officers and the developers are currently having meetings regarding the application.

A Taylor Wimpey spokesman told the LBO last month that the outline permission granted by Central Beds Council in 2011 included provision for access via Vesta Grove, prior to their involvement with the site.

He added: “We are now preparing a reserved matters planning application which deals with detailed matters design and layout which have not already been agreed at outline stage. We held a public consultation last month to give the local community the opportunity to review and comment on these design elements and will be taking feedback into account as our proposals are finalised.”

See the clip on Facebook by searching #SaveOurStreets - New Taylor Wimpey Development - Grovebury Road