Concerns raised over impact of MK expansion on Leighton Buzzard
Regular conversations are held over the impact of future Milton Keynes expansion on Central Bedfordshire – as a councillor raised concerns over Leighton Buzzard being treated as a “dormitory”.
Two motions about future growth of Milton Keynes and the consequences for the surrounding area were presented to a full Central Bedfordshire Council meeting.
Conservative Heath and Reach councillor Mark Versallion asked the CBC administration “to engage constructively but carefully with Milton Keynes Council” around the government’s plans to expand the city, as part of its ‘new towns’ programme.
“I’m not talking about any conspiracies, theories or things which aren’t formalised,” he explained. “This merely addresses the Labour government’s announcement of 13 new towns in Britain, Milton Keynes being one of them alongside Tempsford.
“This motion requests the administration to engage with its neighbours, influence and make friends, but to specifically focus on the likely impact on our local road networks in particular.
“The likes of Hockliffe on the A5, Heath and Reach and Leighton Buzzard can be impacted by the city expansion of around 40,000 extra homes.”
Independent Leighton Linslade West councillor Victoria Harvey said: “I strongly support this motion because of the impact Milton Keynes has on Leighton Buzzard.
“This gives space for councillors and elected representatives in Leighton Buzzard to think about how we want to relate to Milton Keynes. We’re treated by this council as a dormitory, where you go for arts and shopping to Milton Keynes.
“We need to take a proactive approach to see how our historic town centre and our independent shops can compliment the chains (stores) within Milton Keynes, and likewise with our Arts and community groups.
“There’s also how we preserve the countryside in between and consider a forest perhaps along the River Ouzel, so we have wetland and we can deal with flooding.
“But we need the talks among ourselves and strategic planning before committing to any ideas about what we want out of any relationship with Milton Keynes.”
Conservative Cranfield and Marston Moretaine councillor Sue Clark questioned the need for the motion, saying: “We should be engaging constructively with Milton Keynes and all our other neighbours.
“It troubles me if we require a motion for that to happen. The duty to cooperate and regular conversations should be happening all the time.”
Council leader and Independent Potton councillor Adam Zerny agreed, adding: “We don’t know yet where an Milton Keynes new town would go, but we’ll continue to engage actively with the authorities.
“We know where its Local Plan seeks growth and that’s something I discuss with them on a regular basis. One such area is Keepers Place, which is the big new development east of the city and has its sights potentially on a little Central Bedfordshire land as well.
“We don’t want developments where residents are in an awkward position on opposite sides of the street under different local authorities, and not feeling they’re getting the same level of service.
“My recent comments around the Huntingdonshire boundary change plan made me realise most residents don’t care about us. They don’t mind which local authority they fall within.
“They want to know how much council tax they’re paying, whether the potholes get fixed and if the bins are collected.” Councillor Versallion’s motion was passed, but the other one was defeated.