MARSTON MORETEYNE PARISH COUNCIL
Clerk to the Council
Mrs. H. Trustam
30 Armstrong Close
Wilstead
Bedford
MK45 3EJ
Tel: 01234 743598
Email: h.trustam@btinternet.com
27th June 2008
Eco-Towns Team
Housing & Growth Programmes
Department for Communities and
Local Government
2/H9 Eland House
Bressenden Place
London
SW1E 1DU
Dear Sir/Madam,
Proposed Eco-Town in The Marston Vale, Bedfordshire.
With reference to the above proposals regarding the construction of Eco Towns within Marston Vale, Marston Moreteyne Parish Council are firmly opposed to the proposals.
Public Consultation: The consultation period on the proposals has been too short and lack of publicity and public consultation by both the Government and developers does not leave local residents any other choice but to believe that the scheme is being fast tracked through.
Coalescence of Villages: Marston Vale primarily consists of villages which all have their own identities and communities, of which Marston Moreteyne is one. The proposals will in effect create urban sprawl between Bedford and Milton Keynes and these communities will be lost forever. The quality of housing is poor and the housing styles are totally out of character with the surrounding area and will not blend in. Proposals for tower blocks are more in-keeping with cities not villages.
Employment: The scheme focuses on housing for existing jobs in the area; however historically the area has low employment and thus it would mean that the new Eco Towns would be dormitory towns for the thousands of new residents who would have to commute long distances to travel from work to home. This is in total contradiction to the vision of the Government for an Eco Town and would equate to an increase in the carbon footprint to those residents living in the Eco Towns.
Infrastructure Deficit: Lack of investment in infrastructure required for the creation of a new sustainable community will place a burden on the existing roads which are already heavily congested; namely the A421. Although the road will be improved in the next few years, the planned improvements will not have taken into consideration an increase in 30,000 – 50,000 people and their associated transportation needs.
Greenfield Land: The O&H Development seeks to build on greenfield land which is not despoiled but open green space and farm land. The development encroaches on the Green Sand Ridge which is one of our prized areas for natural beauty. The proposed development on greenfield land contradicts Government guidelines for planning, and Government directive points to development of brownfield sites first.
The proposals for Eco-Towns in the Vale are in addition to the already allocated increase in housing for the Vale. Marston Moreteyne already has 480 new homes allocated to be constructed and the majority of other villages will also see a dramatic increase in housing over the next few years. Local services and roads will be stretched to accommodate these additional residents let alone those of the Eco Town.
The Eco Towns would be better suited to where regeneration is required and unemployment is high, not in a beautiful unspoiled area such as Marston Vale.
Yours faithfully,
H. Trustam
Mrs. H. Trustam
Parish Clerk
