Another green wheel is in the making to preserve countryside in the area

Plans have been unveiled to designate a specific area of green land around Sandy.

The creation of a green wheel around Biggleswade has already been agreed and this second wheel could overlap with it across Biggleswade Common.

The countryside access team at Central Beds Council is working on the green wheel idea to promote sustainable recreation and travel plus to increase access to high quality green space.

The project was discussed at Sandy Town Council’s community services and environment committee on Monday, June 10.

Councillor Nigel Aldis said: “It would go all the way around the town using various paths and routes currently there but linking them up together and obviously signing it.”

It is expected that the wheel will include all of urban Sandy, the Ivel valley, north of the town to the disused railway which is now National Cycle Route 51 and south to cross over with the Biggleswade Green Wheel. It would cover the northern edge of Biggleswade Common, the RSPB and the Greensand Ridge walk area.

Existing green space will be identified to make it more accessible to a wider audience.

Mayor Susan Sutton said: “I would suggest it’s a very good thing. It would help ensure inappropriate development wouldn’t take place in those areas.”

The work will be under taken with help from the Beds Rural Communities Charity (BRCC). There will be a public consultation in developing the green wheel document.

It is expected that the consultation draft will be prepared by the end of September and that final alterations will take place over the following six weeks.

After this there will be a six week public consultation and it is thought that the final version will be adopted by late January next year.

According to the Sandy Town Council clerk’s report the green wheel document will “influence the long term development of the area within Sandy as well as incorporating the development and promotion of outward links through walking and cycling out from the town for business, education and leisure.”

Do you think Sandy should have a green wheel? Where should it include? Email your thoughts to [email protected]