Major Consultation On Homes And Jobs Launched
Everyone in the district is being given the opportunity to have their say on which sites should be selected so that Mid Beds can meet government targets for future housing, as well as its own targets for employment.
Mid Beds must allocate sites to create a further 9,000 new jobs in the district by 2021 and build 4,400 homes by 2026. These figures make up the balance of overall targets to provide 14,000 new jobs in the district between 2001 and 2021, and 17,000 new homes between 2001 and 2026, 12,600 of which have already been built or have gained planning permission.
Approximately 400 sites have been submitted to Mid Beds District Council for potential development, of which only 50-70 will eventually be allocated for development.
Councillor Ken Matthews, Planning Portfolio Holder, said: “The Council is completely committed to involving the people of Mid Bedfordshire in deciding where new housing, jobs, shops and community facilities are most needed. We have commissioned consultation specialists to help us deliver an intensive programme of public consultation over the next six weeks.
“Only a small number of the sites submitted to us will need to be developed, in order to hit government targets and any significant development will be accompanied by improvements to local services and infrastructure.”
“Talk to Mid Beds” is Mid Beds District Council’s most far-reaching consultation to date and takes to the road on Thursday 21st February.
Vision Twentyone, a company specialising in large scale public consultation, has been employed to assist Mid Beds with the consultation process. To find out more and have your say on specific sites, log on to www.talktomidbeds.co.uk or visit a Mid Beds exhibition in your area:
· Thursday, 21st February, Houghton Conquest Village Hall, 1pm – 8pm
(includes sites in Houghton Conquest and Haynes parishes)
· Friday, 22nd February, Silsoe Village Hall, 1pm – 8pm
(includes sites in Silsoe, Pulloxhill and Flitton and Greenfield parishes)
· Saturday, 23rd February, The Alameda School Hall, Ampthill, 9am - 3pm
(includes sites in Ampthill parish)
· Thursday, 28th February, Cranfield Village Hall, 1pm-8pm
(includes sites in Cranfield, Hulcote and Salford and Brogborough parishes)
· Friday, 29th February, Marston Moretaine Village Hall, 1pm – 8pm
(includes sites in Marston Moretaine, Lidlington and Millbrook parishes)
· Saturday, 1st March, Biggleswade, Weatherly Centre, 9am-3pm
(includes sites in Biggleswade parish)
· Thursday, 6th March, Langford Scout Hut, 1pm-8pm
(includes sites in Langford and Henlow parishes)
· Friday, 7th March, Potton Community Centre, 1pm-8pm
(includes sites in Potton, Everton, Sutton, Dunton and Wrestlingworth parishes)
· Saturday, 8th March, Sandy Town Council Offices, 9am-3pm
(includes sites in Sandy, Blunham, Moggerhanger and Tempsford parishes)
· Thursday, 13th March, Shefford Community Hall, 1pm-8pm
(includes sites in Shefford, Clifton and Meppershall parishes)
· Friday, 14th March, Upper Caldecote Church Hall, 1am – 8pm
(includes sites in Northill, Old Warden and Southill parishes)
· Saturday, 15th March, Flitwick, Rufus Centre, 9am-4pm
(includes sites in Flitwick, Steppingley and Harlington parishes)
· Monday, 17th March, Roecroft Centre, Stotfold, 1.30pm – 8pm
(includes sites in Stotfold and Arlesey parishes)
· Wednesday, 19th March, Arlesey Community Centre,1pm-8pm
(includes sites in Stotfold and Arlesey parishes)
· Tuesday, 25th March, Clophill Village Hall, 1pm – 8pm
(includes sites in Clophill and Maulden parishes)
· Wednesday, 26th March, Lower Stondon Village Hall, 1pm-8pm
(includes sites in Stondon, Shillington and Gravenhurst parishes)
· Thursday 27th March, Aspley Guise Village Hall, 1pm – 7.30
(includes sites in Aspley Guise, Husborne Crawley, Ridgmont and Woburn parishes)
ENDS
Notes for Editors.
Vision Twentyone provides independent stakeholder analysis and communications consultancy.
Working in the fields of research, planning, public policy, consultation and regeneration we have been facilitating dialogue between our clients and their stakeholders since 1999.
Our core services are:
· Consultation
· Research and Analysis
· Media Liaison
· Political Engagement
For further information see our website www.visiontwentyone.co.uk or contact Chris Duffy on 0161 200 8000
