‘There were no secret meetings on retail park plans’
Councillor Alan Shadbolt
The chairman of today’s Central Beds Council’s development control committee hit back at allegations made by campaigners against the approval of retail parks in Leighton Buzzard.
Councillor Alan Shadbolt confronted claims that councillors had secret meetings to decide the applications before this afternoon’s meeting that resulted in one of the retail parks going ahead.
Mr Shadbolt said: “I can categorically state that no such meetings have taken place and that this committee has not decided the applications, indeed this is the first time that the majority of members have been involved.
“I can advise members what took in place in November was a separate presentation by both applicants to Officers and local ward members.
“After the presentation there were some questions asked by ward members, but no discussions took place.”
Mr Shadbolt continued to say there were further allegations made to sugest that local people would not know until today if they could speak at the committee.
“Friends of the Earth were informed on Thursday night that any person wishing to speak should register and that a final decision would be made this week.
“As you know where there is a contentious application I have never refused anyone to speak.”
However, when Victoria Harvey, of South Bedforshire’s Friends of the Earth, took to the speakers’ seat, her and Mr Shadbolt quickly became embroiled in an argument over how many minutes she had been allotted to talk for.
Speaking after the first proposal by Claymore had been approved, in which 13 councillors were in favour, four against, and one abstention, Victoria said: “I feel furious. I feel I have been let down.”
The second proposed retail park for Leighton by Barwood’s was unanimously rejected.
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
