Office of Deputy Prime Minister Halts Queens Park Development Improvements

7.38.15pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 8th Sep 2003

Liberal Democrat Councillors have attacked recommendations by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) that would see new facilities such as a medical centre, community centre and play areas scrapped at a new development planned for Queens Park.

The development on the site of the old Rolls Royce works had been challenged by borough councillors who were anxious that in order to give it the go ahead it should include a level of facilities which would be of benefit to the local area and the people who live there.

However following a degree of support from planning inspectors the ODPM has sensationally recommended that the development be given the go ahead with no concession to any added facilities for local people. Its only requirement for the development to commence is for a level of social housing. Liberal Democrat councillors now fear this will have repercussions for developments across the borough and are writing to the ODPM direct to register these concerns.

Speaking on the issue, Cllr Gordon Willey, Liberal Democrat Planning Spokesperson, said:

"This recommendation completely flies in the face of the governments planning policy. Fundamental policies over sustainability, producing balanced communities and green travel have simply been thrown to wind."

"Originally we argued that there needed to be more facilities available for the use of local residents if developers were to get the go ahead to develop here. However the ODPM appears to know better and see's no need for essential facilities such as a medical centre, the use of the Allen centre for community needs or new and improved open spaces. This is very bad news for Bedford. With this recommendation the government is effectively setting a precedent that says there is no need for new developments in Bedford to have new and improved facilities to accompany new housing. Lets not forget these facilities would have been used by the existing community to help reduce stresses on existing local facilities."

"We will be writing to the Labour Government in the strongest possible terms. If the government believes new communities will thrive on housing alone the future looks bleak for Bedford."