Can Council block North Bedford Building?

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 11th Oct 2002

Liberal Democrats on Bedford Borough Council have raised questions over the councils role as a land owner after land to the North of Bedford has been earmarked to become sites for new housing developments. This has resulted in a letter being sent to the Chief Executive of Bedford Borough Council calling upon him to highlight areas of land, crucial to the development, owned by the council. Any use of this land for housing purposes will mean the council is responsible for a loss of amenity in the area.

Cllr Michael Headley, Liberal Democrat Group Leader and signatory on the letter claimed:

"Questions need to be raised as to the Councils role as a land owner in the areas of Norse Road and Freeman's Common. The loss of open space at these locations due to the planned housing development sites is disgraceful. I believe some of this land is under council ownership. If this is the case the council needs to look very seriously indeed into its role as a land owner. Any plan that will lead to the loss of council owned open space must be questioned. I have written to the Chief Executive asking him to look into this as a matter of urgency."

He added:

"Decisions need to be taken by the council that are not solely dependant on Planning Inspectors or planning regulations. The potential loss of green space is terrible."