'˜Make a decision' plea over Valley Farm homes saga

A Leighton-Linslade town councillor has called for an urgent end to worry caused to residents by the ongoing Valley Farm housing plan saga.
MPLO-WEST LINSLADE URBAND EXTENSION VALLEY FARM SITEMPLO-WEST LINSLADE URBAND EXTENSION VALLEY FARM SITE
MPLO-WEST LINSLADE URBAND EXTENSION VALLEY FARM SITE

Developers Paul Newman Homes recently submitted a further detailed planning document to Aylesbury Vale District Council, despite it applying for planning permission over a year ago.

The consultation process had been due to end in the summer but was extended until January 28 having attracted over 600 letters of objection.

With that deadline passed for Aylesbury Vale District Council to determine the plans for over 300 homes, Councillor Dr Clive Palmer has called for a swift decision from AVDC, which recently told the LBO it was awaiting final comments from its highways engineers before the application finally goes before its planning committee.

Councillor Palmer said: “The delay in decision taking and the worry it is causing to many electors in the ward, wh0 are extremely opposed to the proposal, is very apparent.”

He said Paul Newman Homes’ latest planning statement had revealed support for its proposals from Soulbury Parish Council but had ignored “the overwhelming opposition from individuals who would be most closely affected, local MPs, Central Beds Council, Leighton-Linslade Town Council (representing a vastly larger population, many of whom would be more immediately affected, than people in Soulbury), or indeed attempts made to gauge public opinion in Soulbury Parish which appear to have uncovered very significant opposition”.

Councillor Palmer said the development would be a “major alien intrusion” on the rural landscape and challenged the developer’s claims that there was ample capacity available on the road network.

He said: “The congestion from Linslade into LeightonBuzzard (and vice versa) has progressively increased in recent years, in part because of the unalterable geography of a single canal and river crossing with severe pressure on related road junctions and knock-on impacts.

“Economic disbenefits caused by additional car journeys and congestion; social problems arising from the adverse impact on already overstretched health, education and recreational facilities; and the environmental.lanscape issues would suggest that the proposal is far from representing sustainable development.”

At a recent meeting, Leighton-Linslade Town Council resolved to seek clarifcation on the expected timetable for the application to be determined by AVDC.

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