Luton 'extension' is given the boot
But campaigners still fear for Green Belt
An 'urban extension' of 5,500 homes in countryside to the east of Luton was officially axed by councillors on Friday.
The scheme was dropped by Luton Borough Council and Central Beds Council's joint committee, which is in charge of deciding where housing growth should happen in South Beds, after changes to the planning system were brought in by the new government.
The changes have seen the previous plans for housing growth slashed by 10,000 homes, with the authorities now saying 23,000 new homes are now needed by 2026.
But campaigners who fought the proposals for housing to the east of Luton say the battle is not yet over.
North Herts district councillor David Barnard said: "We have to be very careful and read every single line.
"The housing proposals have been scrapped but there's an extension to the existing ProLogis business park near Luton Airport in the direction of Darley Hall.
"They are saying that the roads from that could be used as the start of an eastern bypass for Luton in the future.
"Why they do they want to build in North Herts when they have got the Butterfield Green development which isn't even half let yet?
"I can say right now that we are going to resist this and it's not going to happen."
Councillor Barnard said, however, that he thought the scrapping of the urban extension could be the death knell for plans from Bloor Homes to build 1,000 homes on Green Belt land near Cockernhoe, adding: "I'm surprised they're still continuing with it."
The Campaign to Protect Rural England's Hertfordshire branch released a statement on Monday saying it was "delighted" that North Herts had been removed from expansion plans for Luton.
Spokesman Kevin FitzGerald said: "This is wonderful news for all who love the countryside."
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Weather for Luton
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
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