Caddington

Caddington ward covers the six parishes of Hyde, Slip End, Caddington, Kensworth, Whipsnade & Studham
Individual parish council websites (where available) can be reached by clicking on the names aboves.

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Chaulington exhibition 06 & 07 December


I have received a postcard reminding me of the upcoming exhibition; I expect that every household in Caddington should have received the same notification.

Considering the placement in a rural setting, the vehicle storage site was always going to pose a conundrum when it reached the end of its useful life in its current form.  The original planning permission was explicitly for vehicle storage, so the site remains green belt and a good case needs to be established to allow development.  Conversely, a large concrete car park is probably what most people would consider a brownfield site and hence more suitable for development than virgin green land.

There are also serious concerns surrounding traffic levels along Chaul End Road and the impact of increasing them further.  However, as there are undoubtedly existing problems even before the use of the site is altered, is this perhaps an opportunity to deliver positive changes which might relieve some of the pressure?

It is not appropriate for me to declare as either "for" or "against" Chaulington*, and it is important to note that final proposals and detail are a long way from being locked in.  General Motors and their advisors could easily have gone directly to the principle planning authority, ignoring the local community, and pushed for high density development based on general housing need in the South-East of England.  I am glad that they eschewed such a bully-boy approach and instead have engaged with the community via the Neighbourhood Plan team, local CBC councillors and, of course, public events open to all.

Whether you are for, against or undecided, I would encourage as many people as possible to attend the exhibition this coming weekend.  Engage with the planners, seek explanations and communicate any concerns and, hopefully, the way forward will be an outcome of which General Motors can be proud and Caddington residents regard as more gain than loss.


* I don't think anyone particularly cares for the name "Chaulington", it is just a useful working title.  If any of you are feeling creative, please make your suggestions known!

3 comments:

  1. Cllr Collins. I have Key questions I would like to ask: about "Chaulington",purposed development
    1. Sewerage at Caddington is at capacity so how will this work and who will pay for it, because the nearest plant is East Hyde?.
    2. Will any affordable housing be set aside for our young/ elderly residents (CBC should be seeking 35%).
    3. For the development to be 'sustainable' it will need to provide extra classrooms for our schools, social and community facilities- what are they and how is the developer going to pay for it, especially as the land is on an old tip? GM motors own the land- with all the costs involved how does this development stack up.
    3. What do the local residents of Caddington get other than a load of houses?
    The development is in the green belt which means that planning permission can't be approved until 'exceptional circumstances' have been proven.
    4. What is exceptional about this development?
    Kind Regards Mr Patrick Smith (Editor of the CVNS)

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    1. Some interesting points Patrick, which I am sure you will be able to put to the designers, planners and advisors when you attend their exhibition today or tomorrow.

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  2. I would be grateful and It would be nice Kevin if you could put these points to the designers, as our elected councillor. I am sure you would present all these point to them regardless on behalf of all the residence of Caddington. Letters have been sent to the local media from both Christine and myself hoping they will to present the issues that is in the public interest, (but I do not hold out much hope ) as I am misunderstood and some do not like my approach ,WYSIWYG., Full details can be found on the Caddingtonvillagenews and also on Facebook. Kind Regards Patrick. and Christine Smith

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