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Estate plans for Linslade cause an outcry
Angry campaigners want to stop 900 homes
ANGRY campaigners fighting to stop a new 900-home estate in Linslade say the scheme will bring increased traffic chaos to the town.
The public got their first look on Thursday of plans by developers, Paul Newman New Homes, to build the controversial West Linslade Urban Extension – a scheme being snubbed by both Beds and Bucks councils.
The outline plan, yet to be submitted to Aylesbury Vale District Council for approval, shows 900 homes, a third of the site as open space, a small shopping parade, GP surgery, and an employment area.
Funding is promised for public transport and schools.
But schooling would be a major issue for the estate. Although just yards away from Linslade's schools, the estate's children would have to have a new lower school built for them – otherwise they would have to travel to Wing or Stewkley, and later, they would probably still have to go to secondary schools in Wing or Aylesbury, 12 miles away, as the site is in Aylesbury Vale and governed by a completely different education authority and system.
All traffic from the site will exit either onto Derwent Road, right opposite Greenleas Lower School, or onto Soulbury Road, causing more headaches for drivers already trying to negotiate the narrow road through rows of parked cars.
Clive Palmer, who lives in Bideford Green, said the developer's team attending the public consultation, refused to listen to complaints from residents.
"They just kept smiling and saying how wonderful they were, what a fantastic scheme this was, how marvellous the company was. They didn't want to hear our concerns," he said.
Mr Palmer said moves should be made to change the local government boundary to incorporate the site into Bedfordshire. At present the land lies in the parish of Soulbury in Aylesbury Vale although the development would be seen as an extension of Linslade, in South Beds, and its residents would use the town's amenities and facilities.
"My fear is with traffic. We could have up to 2,000 extra cars from the housing and their only exits take them onto roads already suffering parking chaos.
"Soulbury Road is already hell. It can't take any more traffic. This development will blight homes all along Derwent Road and people will suffer for the next decade as building work progresses.
"People living in this new area will naturally look to Leighton-Linslade for its amenities. We will be put under massive pressure. A lot of major issues, like infrastructure, are being swept under the carpet.
"Who will deal with the traffic issues? Leighton can't take any more."
Martin Probert, of Milebush, said the developers were using "clever hype" to hoodwink people.
He also attacked the stance of some local councillors who claimed resistance to the plan was futile because the scheme would win on appeal.
"I find this apathetic that our representatives don't represent the mood of local people who oppose the entire plan."
Mr Probert attacked claims by the developers that the estate's cars would use the ring road to enter the town or new residents would use enhanced bus services.
"I can't see mothers taking their kids to and from school on the local bus."
He said that PNNH's team told him at the consultation that "the town's congestion is not their responsibility."
He said: "Judging by the last 12 months' traffic problems we won't receive any solutions but just more frustration and even more congestion.
"At the end of the public consultation meeting no-one seemed to understand how Linslade or the residents would benefit."
Mr Harry Maughan, from the Leighton Buzzard Society, was told at the meeting that the site's employment area would only provide about 400 new jobs with another 400 to 500 people commuting from the estate.
"They appeared totally dismissive about warnings of congestion."
A spokesman for Paul Newman Homes said that more than 500 local people attended the two public exhibitions, which gave them an opportunity to put their questions to members of the project team. Over the next few weeks the team would be reviewing the comments received in detail.
Paul Newman Homes had been in detailed consultation over a substantial time with Bucks education authority about education. As a result of liasing with the Beds education authority the company had been advised that a primary school would be required on the site and major financial contributions would be required for secondary and special needs education.
"Discussions will be on going with the education authorities as necessary", he said.
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Saturday 04 February 2012
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