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Protecting the rural landscape from buildings
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Gypsy and Traveller site proposals are leading to inconsistent council decisions, a householder has said.
Tom Foote, who lives in Deadman’s Cross, near Haynes, has struck out against Central Beds Council’s consideration of a site next to his hamlet.
As part of the council’s Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan a possible site on land to the south of the settlement reached stage three of the consideration process.
He said: “The council recently rejected an application for an improvement on a garage up the road.
“There are only about six houses in Deadman’s Cross and the garage wanted to extend some of its existing buildings. It got rejected because it would affect the beautiful landscape.
“Directly in the rear of the garage they have proposed this ‘housing estate.’”
The application for an extension to the service station and the construction of a new workshop building was turned down in January.
Councillors agreed: “The proposed development would result in the siting of a new building in the open countryside, not within a settlement envelope and as such not considered to represent a sustainable form of development.
“Furthermore, the development would result in an increase to the built up nature of the site and due to its size and prominent siting be harmful to the rural character and appearance of the surrounding open countryside.”
A spokesman for Central Beds Council said that the council cannot comment on individual sites whilst the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan is being discussed.
Mr Foote also queried why the plan was discussed at a council meeting on a weekday morning and at Priory House in Chicksands, where there was only room for 180 people.
The council responded that meetings are booked a year in advance and Priory House is the council’s largest venue.
A video link was set up in the cafeteria to increase the number of people who could attend, while staying within health and safety guidelines.
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Weather for Biggleswade
Tuesday 21 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
