'Botched Process' could result in further urban sprawl

Open space to the north of Brickhill owned by a charitable trust could be developed for housing following a 'botched' process which involved the land being proposed for development without the prior agreement of the charity's trustees.

In August, Bedford Borough Council produced a list of 19 locations, including important green space and community facilities, which it proposed to release for housing or commercial development. The move was branded by the Lib Dems as an attempt by the council to 'sell off the family silver.' Amongst the list of sites proposed for development was land owned by the Freeman's Common Charity (founded 1797) at Cleat Hill, north of Brickhill. This submission was made in spite of the fact that the charity's trustees, who are comprised of members of the Council's General Purposes Committee, had not given agreement to the submission, nor even been given prior notice of it.

A Bedford Borough Council report for the next meeting of the Trustees on Tuesday (18th November) argues that they must accept the action of the council in proposing the site for development or face possible censure from the Charity Commission for removing the proposal at this stage.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Brickhill Ward Charles Royden said: "It is scandalous that this botched process could end up with vital open space to the north of Brickhill being developed as a large housing estate. Having overstepped the mark by proposing the development without the agreement of the Charity's trustees, the council is now using strong-arm tactics to try to force the trustees to accept the plans. This is totally unacceptable."

"The approach also defies logic, for why should the Charity's Trustees be looking to sell the land for development now when land values have plummeted and are predicted to take years and years to recover? It would seem that the only sensible option in this case is for the Charity to retain the land and continue to use the rent it generates for charitable purposes for years to come. This approach would also have the benefit of preventing even further urban sprawl to the North of Bedford. Such urban sprawl would have a serious impact on the quality of life of local residents, and it must not be allowed to take place by the back door. "