Not chuffed with rail plans
RURAL SETTING: But Michael Stonnell says Sundon could soon lose its green surroundings
Fears have been voiced that the public are not well informed about proposed mass development – including a huge rail freight interchange – on Green Belt land north of Luton.
There are just a few weeks left for people to have their say on a growth strategy which will see 4,000 homes built to the north of the town and the 55-hectare terminal and warehousing built next to the M1 between Upper Sundon and Chalton.
The terminal – about a third of the size of the the huge rail freight terminal at Daventry – would be built by ProLogis.
Chairman of Chalton Parish Council, Russell Currell, said the rail freight terminal and warehousing were “hidden away” in Central Bedfordshire Council’s development strategy.
“If this core strategy is agreed it is the equivalent of outline planning permission,” he said. “We are really dreading the rail freight terminal.
“I’m not sure that the land take is going to be justifiable for the job numbers.”
In Toddington, the councillor in charge of planning, Richard Hagen, said most people did not know what the strategy involved, and that decisions were being made at a high level and “presented as a fait accompli”.
Mr Hagen said he was trying to get the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) extended to include rail freight site.
The terminal would “take up a lot of space and not provide many jobs,” according to Harlington Parish Council chair Mary Walsh, who said: “We can’t see much evidence of what would come in by rail. It will be a strategic road interchange.”
Michael Stonnell is working with Sundon Parish Council on its response to the strategy.
“The immediate problem with it is the loss of Green Belt which surrounds our village,” he said.
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Weather for Luton
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
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