Tories Put Politics Before Saving Greenfields

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 1st Aug 2002

At Monday nights (29 July) planning meeting Cllr Michael Headley proposed an alternative site for housing in place of the controversial sites at Norse Rd and North Brickhill. The site South of Cambridge Road, adjoining the by-pass was put forward as a replacement location.

The proposal however, was only supported by Lib Dem Cllr Pat Naughton. No other proposal was made and the issue will now be discussed by the Executive Committee in September, with the same recommendations proposing the inclusion of the two north Bedford sites.

Cllr Michael Headley said:

"The Tories spent all the meeting moaning about the situation. But when it came down to doing something positive to save these greenfields they were in disarray and had nothing to offer. They failed to support my proposals to save the Norse Road and Brickhill sites by using an alternative location."

"This was purely because of their obsession with scoring party political points. Without providing a practical alternative site there is no hope of removing the threat of development here. They have totally let down the local residents of Brickhill, Norse Road and Renhold. Because of their failure to act, crucial months are lost and the likelihood of success reduces."