Potton ‘Green Wheel’ plans – let Central Beds Council know your thoughts

Central Bedfordshire Council is inviting the local community to have their say on a proposed ‘green corridor’ around Potton

CBC, Potton Town Council, Sutton Parish Council and Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BedsRCC) have worked together to create plans for a ‘Green Wheel’ which will circuit the town, providing a green corridor for Potton residents to enjoy.

The draft plans show that the Green Wheel could provide an important landscape and biodiversity resource for the town to enjoy and encourage walking and cycling both around and in and out of the town. The idea is to use and enhance existing public paths and create new additional routes to form a more formal continuous circular network of paths around the community of Potton.

The council would now like to hear the community’s views on the proposals.

Commenting on social media, Central Bedfordshire and Potton Town Councillor, Adam Zerny, said: "Even before the circular pathway around Biggleswade was launched in 2015, plans were afoot to create a similar project around the edge of Potton.

"Over recent years a small committee of residents and town and parish councillors have been hard at work on proposals while Cllr Tracey Wye and I have pushed Central Bedfordshire Council to provide financial support and engage with landowners.

"There has also been support from Beds Rural Communities Charities (BRCC) and backing from the team behind the Potton Neighbourhood Plan.

"CBC says the route could potentially open up more of our countryside although it will take some time to get the legal agreements in place."

He continued: "When I comment on the plans I will also be saying:

"CBC should work with landowners to ensure the section through Pegnut Wood can connect the golf club with Sheepwalk Close.

"The Green Wheel should not be used to extend the settlement envelope, given this would make it easier for developers to build inside the Green Wheel.

"Safety work will need to be conducted, particularly at Deepdale and Biggleswade Road if we are to be encourage more people to cross the main roads.

"The north western section should go around the town but not loop out into the countryside."

The public consultation will run from today (Monday, May 24) to Monday, July 25, 2021.

Full details about the proposals and a questionnaire for residents and stakeholders can be viewed online at: https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultationsThe consultation questionnaire and summary Green Wheel document are also available during the consultation at the Potton Town Council Office and Potton Library.

Representatives from the Council, BedsRCC and the Potton Green Wheel Development Group will be available to explain more about the proposal and hear your views on:

Saturday 19 June at Potton Seasonal Market, Market Square from 9am – 1pm

Tuesday 22 June at Potton Community Centre, Brook End from 10am – 2pm

Thursday 24 June at the Pavilion, Mill Lane from 4pm - 8pm

Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing and Communities, Cllr Tracey Stock said: “I really encourage the local public to have their say on these proposals."

"Over the past eighteen months, many people have reconnected with the outdoors and green space and recognised the physical and mental health benefits. We are fortunate to enjoy such beautiful rural scenery in Central Bedfordshire."