Decision still to come for plan to build 77 new homes in a village

Central Beds Council’s development management committee discussed the planning application for land at New Road in Clifton on Wednesday (June 19).

Speaking at the meeting, Barry Livesey from Clifton Parish Council said: “We objected to this site right through the Local Development Framework process.

“New Road residents have difficulty parking. They would suffer from increased traffic and the village generally would suffer increased New Road congestion as they travel to the by-pass.”

Councillor Rita Drinkwater said: “Where does one start with something that is so wrong in so many ways?”

The proposal does not match the rural aspect of the village, she said. “Surely the layout should be sympathetic to the surrounding area and not to try to cram in 77 dwellings and car parking.”

But Neil Osborne, speaking on behalf of the application, said it follows all council guidelines. The application was deferred to gather more information.