Rural England
BEDFORDSHIRE
Who we are
Windfarm proposals
In Bedfordshire Issues - Local Development Frameworks 
In Events - Reports on the April AGM and May YFC Rally
Windfarm proposals
At Nunwood near the Three Shires Way
The proposed windfarm would place 12 turbines in three shire counties, within three regional authorities and three local planning departments. This application replaces a previous one for 16 turbines - subsequently withdrawn. However the current layout proposes a greater proportion of turbines in Bedfordshire than in the previous application on land above the settlement of Harrold running up to the Three Shires Way which forms the county boundary between Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire. In terms of landscape quality this area of open farmland is arguably one of the finest in North Bedfordshire.
Read our response to Bedford Borough Council (PDF 108KB)
Between Langford and the A1 Trunk Road
We are beginning to input to the consultations on the proposed windfarm on 20 hectares of high sloping ground between Langford and the A1 Trunk Road to the east of the county. This is for 16 turbines to generate approximately 32 MW. The recent application to MBDC is from Co-operative Estates. A 'before and after' representation is set out below, courtesy of the Co-op application.
Click the image to see a full size view
The maximum height to tip in this case will be 110 metres.
After recent discussions with MBDC Planning Division and with local Councillors, CPRE has determined that the application is unlikely to be presented to the Development Control Committee before June 2009. In the meantime we are working with local residents both to advise them on protocol in such matters, and to make our comments in accordance with CPRE Policy.
Read more about Wind Farm Schemes and Renewable Energy in Bedfordshire Issues
CPRE Bedfordshire QUESTIONS ELECTION CANDIDATES 2009
In April, the branch issued a short questionnaire to all local councillors or election candidates.
‘The people of Bedfordshire value their countryside’ said Geoff Lambert chair of the Bedfordshire branch of CPRE. They want to know what councillors will be doing to protect this valuable asset. We will give every candidate the opportunity to tell their electorate what they will do to protect the countryside for future generations’.
The deadline for replies is now passed. Those received can be read at Questionnaire 2009 - REPLIES . Take a look before the local elections on 4 June. We are delighted to have received 24 replies. The thought put into the range of responses suggests that many of the councillors who will be elected view the care and protection of Bedfordshire's countryside as a priority. We look forward to working with them in the future.
The questionnaire focuses on the following four key issues:
- What will be the single most important thing YOU will do to protect the countryside of Bedfordshire?
- How will you be responding to proposals to create major housing developments around Houghton Regis, East of Leighton Buzzard and around Marston Moretaine?
- What is your position on the development of renewable energy infrastructure in the Bedfordshire’s countryside?
- What is your position on proposals to build roads through protected landscapes and nature reserves in Bedfordshire, such as Houghton Quarry and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty east of Luton?’
Living Countryside Awards
Living Countryside Awards 2009
…for those caring and using the landscape
CPRE Bedfordshire is pleased to announce its new Awards Scheme for 2009: Living Countryside Awards. The new scheme aims to reward landowners and other custodians and commercial users of the land who are making special efforts to preserve and enhance the visual appearance, biodiversity and tranquillity of Bedfordshire’s Countryside. Custodians may also be making good use of the county’s natural resources or enhancing landscape features for a wider audience. Imaginative schemes to engage young people’s interest in the countryside are also very welcome.
There are five award categories:-
- Landscape Improvement
- Countryside Craft
- Leisure and Infrastructure Landscape
- Historic Landscape
- Next Generation Landscape
Nominations are invited from individuals, groups, local authorities, companies. The scheme is open to all, is free. Closing date 31 August 2009 – Good Luck!
For further details see Living Countryside Awards 2009 leaflet (PDF 2.9MB).
Download Living Countryside Awards application form here (PDF 96KB)
Winners will be awarded with a brass plaque, the CPRE Mark and a Certificate at the Awards Ceremony later this year. There will also be secondary awards.
The format follows our successful Design & Countryside Awards 2008.
Marston Vale Eco-town/growth area ?
Eco town for Marston Vale withdrawn
On February 6th, 2009, the developer of the proposed eco-town in the Marston Vale announced that they were withdrawing their proposals from the government’s eco town assessment process.
This sudden denouement came towards the end of a consultation process which the government had launched on its Draft Planning Policy Statement “Eco towns: living a greener future”. This draft was accompanied by a large amount of further documentation including Sustainability Appraisals of all the sites under consideration. The Marston Vale Appraisal was severely criticised, on many points, by the Lidlington and Marston Action Groups who were particularly angered that the whole of the Vale was referred to as a designated Growth Area, whereas the key document, the “Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub Regional Strategy” (MKSM), the driver of the whole expansion plan in our area, referred only to the Northern Vale.
MMETAG is organising a conference to create a Vision for Marston Vale to 2050 on 18th April at the Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine. CPRE will be represented. For further details visit MMETAG website
The action groups and the Bedfordshire Planning Consortium of Parish Councils, supported by CPRE, have mounted a sustained campaign against what we all saw as very flawed proposals for the Vale. A hardly publicised exhibition, arranged by the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG), was seen a travesty of proper consultation. However, two visits to CLG, organised by the Consortium and in which CPRE participated, ensured that our viewpoint was heard. We were gaining the impression that concerns were growing in high places about the deliverability of this very large “eco town”, when, suddenly, it as gone.
However, O&H the eco town proposers have by no means given up their ambition of filling all the land they own in the Vale with development. They now propose to do it through the Regional Plan and Local Development Framework. They have only given up the attempt to use a new method that, at the outset at least, had seemed to offer a way of circumventing the planning process, although latterly the government had been at pains to stress that this was not the case. O&H say that they remain committed to sustainable mixed use development in the area, and CLG, in commenting on the withdrawal, refer to “a serious shortage of housing in the Bedford area with more than 5500 families on the waiting list for affordable housing and this is an issue that must be resolved.”
CPRE supports policies to provide affordable housing to satisfy proven need and believes all new development should conform to the highest environmental standards, but has always seen over development in the Vale as a threat rather than a solution. We believe our view is supported by a recent study carried out for the East of England Regional Assembly by consultants Arup. The Assembly is under pressure from the Government to accommodate further increases in housing numbers, and asked the Consultants to report on where in the Region a new Regional settlement of some 20,000 dwellings could be sited, should one be deemed to be needed. Arup looked at three sites in Bedfordshire: the Marston Vale, the Eastern corridor (along A1) and the Ampthill, Flitwick, Harlington corridor. The study said that the development of any of these would jeopardise the regeneration of Bedford and the success of the other MKSM growth areas nearby. None were among their preferred sites, as they thought it would be difficult to provide enough jobs and there would be a growth in out-commuting from the county.
We, and the concerned people in the Vale Action groups, all agree wholeheartedly with that conclusion.
Luton Northern Bypass – ‘Options’ Consultation
A public consultation exercise has been conducted into the alignment options for a Luton Northern Bypass, which would follow on from construction of the Northern Bypass for Dunstable. Download the proposals map . As part of this exercise, a ‘Stakeholder’ workshop was held on 31st January 2009 which we attended.
The concept of a Luton Northern Bypass falls into two distinct sections – a link between the future M1 Junction 11a and the A6, and an extension on from the A6 to meet the A505 Hitchin road east of Luton. The latter is particularly controversial as, on either of the potential alignments identified for this section, it will have major adverse environmental impacts on the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Warden Hill/Galley Hill Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The general concensus emerging from the Stakeholder Workshop was
the case for any extension of the bypass east of the A6 is far from proven, especially given the very high level of justification that would be required to offset the ‘major adverse’ environmental damage
the case for a bypass between the M1 and A6 should be tested against a more limited road which, while still linking the M1 and A6, would in effect be a (traffic-calmed) residential spine road with multiple access points enabling much better distribution of North Luton local traffic on to the strategic road network than a direct M1-A6 bypass link will do
as an integral element of this process, much more work needed to be done on the contribution improved public transport services and cycle routes could make to the North Luton traffic situation (e.g., Chalton Rail Interchange, Park & Ride, Guided Busway extensions, Bus Priority Lanes, ‘incentivised’ Bus Travel, dedicated Cycle Ways).
These views will be taken into account by the Joint Planning Committee for South Beds & Luton, which will finalise at its March meeting its overall Draft Core Strategy for the Growth Area. This Draft Core Strategy will then go out for a further round of public consultation before becoming a ‘Submission Draft’, which is subjected to independent examination -in public - by an appointed Planning Inspector. The process towards final adoption of the Core Strategy is thus a long one, and is unlikely to be concluded until well into 2010.
Download the full consultation leaflet PDF 732KB.
Download CPRE Bedfordshire’s response (February 09) to the consultation PDF 56KB.
‘Stop the Drop’
Update 30th January 2009
As widely reported, our President, Bill Bryson, has initiated a campaign against the
growing blight of litter and fly-tipping in England’s countryside. Bill describes the
situation thus: “Litter is becoming the default condition of the countryside. It is time
that we – all of us – did something about it. The landscape is too lovely to trash. That
is why CPRE is launching Stop the Drop, to make the countryside what it was almost
everywhere until very recently, and what most of us still want it to be – a place of
cherished beauty and sometimes perfection.”
Despite the Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act (2005) giving authorities new powers to clean up litter, in a recent survey of performance not one authority was rated as ‘good’.
An estimated 25 million tons of litter is dropped annually in the UK. And the problem is 5 times worse than it was in the 1960s.
Fly tipping is escalating and local authorities seem too relaxed and ineffectual in applying the Act. “Local authorities, central Government and other public bodies should give a much stronger lead”, says Bill, “We can all put pressure on them to do so.”
Follow this link to download (PDF 15.8MB) our education pack for schools;
How to run a Whole School Litter Campaign
CPRE Bedfordshire PRESENTS ITS 2008 COUNTRYSIDE AND DESIGN AWARDS
The Bedfordshire branch’s first Countryside and Awards scheme held its awards ceremony on Saturday, 6 December, at Howbury Hall, Renhold, BEDFORD, by kind permission of Julian Polhill and Lucy Copeman. The awards were presented by Dr. Paul Leinster CBE, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency. He was welcomed by Neil Sinden, Director of Policy at CPRE National Office . Awards were made in four categories - Landscape, Historic buildings, Vernacular buildings and New buildings.
A presentation illustrating the many good features of all 19 entries was shown to a packed audience. It was prepared by Barry Halton, a new member of our Executive and a professional photographer.
Summerhill Farm Shop, Cardington, Presentation by Dr Paul Leinster CBE (Chief Executive, Environment Agency) to on left (by stairs) : David Adams (Southill Estate Office) and right Andy Jones, Shop Manager. Venue Howbury Hall, Renhold.
Download the full colour handout Countryside and Design Awards 2008 Entries (PDF 1.4 MB)
For comments made by the judges and a full list of entries showing the levels of all awards:
CPRE Mark, Silver and Commended click here (PDF 128KB)
There are 6 winners of the CPRE Mark-Gold equivalent-for 2008.
LANDSCAPE
Walled Garden, Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton
Within a Luton Borough visitor, this garden has been transformed into a multitude of features and
uses for the community, including specimen planting of native species, simulated global
environments, playgrounds and agricultural museum pieces.
Multiple environments and features, truly something to interest everyone
Castle Close Wildlife and Heritage Site, Sharnbrook
A piece of formerly neglected and almost inaccessible land next to a recently developed housing
estate now managed by local volunteers for the benefit of the village. It includes an ancient
earthwork and ponds as well as mature woodland and open grass areas.
Neglected jungle transformed by volunteers into a community landmark
VERNACULAR BUILDINGS
Cardington Farm Shop
A range of single storey timber barns, retaining original external features, adapted for use as a
farm shop, selling local produce and employing local staff. Very good to see a barn remaining in
commercial use.
Barn remaining in commercial use selling local and regional produce
HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Moggerhanger House and Park
The restoration of a Grade 1 listed John Soane small mansion house after years of use as a
hospital required painstaking research and craftsmanship. The historic landscaped gardens by
Humphry Repton have been improved but will be fully restored during the next phase.
Pure conservation, impeccably researched and a big achievement for the community group
Luton Hoo
The renovation of a Grade 1 listed mansion set in a Capability Brown landscape by the Elite
Hotels group for use as a luxury hotel has demanded ingenuity, fine craftsmanship and has
incurred considerable cost.
Thorough restoration of important landmark and former private house to create a luxury hotel. The stonemason's craftsmanship outside is excellent
NEW BUILDINGS
Long Barn Studio, Maulden
A striking new architect's studio designed to provide a creative work environment and
demonstrate new use of materials, without intruding on a landscape which includes existing farm
buildings.
A stimulating innovative working environment which makes a contribution to the landscape and uses sustainable technologies
Before presenting the awards, Dr Leinster, himself a North Bedfordshire resident who finds much to admire in his local landscape, said:
“The environment is an issue that is really growing in people’s minds and it is up to all of us to contribute. Climate change is a big issue. For instance by 2050 the flow rate of the River Great Ouse is forecast to be reduced by 80%!”
Dr Leinster was awarded a CBE in 2008 for public and voluntary service and was appointed Chief Executive in November.
In welcoming Dr Leinster, Neil Sinden drew attention to CPRE’s historic early role in lobbying for the formation of The Environment Agency, the leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales.
CPRE Bedfordshire’s Chairman Geoff Lambert said:
"We are absolutely delighted at the response we received to our first major awards scheme, which celebrates the 21st year of CPRE's efforts to preserve and enhance the environment and heritage of this beautiful county. All of the diverse projects we have recognised with awards are characterised by the dedication and expertise of those who have undertaken them and we applaud their efforts. Bedfordshire seems to be perennially under threat from various forms of development and it is good to be able to draw attention to some exemplary work which is helping to preserve the rural nature of the county for future generations".
The panel of judges:
Peter Inskip, a national advisor on the restoration of historic buildings
Nicolas Tye, an award-winning Bedfordshire architect
Robbie Ward-Booth, the historic buildings advisor to Bedfordshire County Council and South Beds District Council
Alison Myers, Landscape Officer from Bedfordshire County Council
Brian Golby, a Mid-Bedfordshire District Councillor and Member of the Chilterns Conservation Board
James Humphreys, the Editor of Bedfordshire County Life Magazine
Barry Halton of CPRE Bedfordshire.
Following the success of its awards scheme, CPRE Bedfordshire hopes to run its next awards in 2010.
Saving Tranquil Places
A new map of England produced by CPRE shows up our most tranquil (in dark green) and least tranquil (in red) rural areas. The aim is to ensure that we retain tranquillity, the countryside's most precious resource. The map is a more comprehensive update of those produced in 1990 and 1960, showing even then how far tranquillity had been lost. The new map shows Bedford in red, on the western edge of the Eastern region , from which spreads a spider’s web of red roads reflecting the highways that cross the county. Few people outside Bedfordshire seem to realise that the the county is 75% rural with a diverse and often very attractive and tranquil countryside. - now let's make sure we don't lose Bedfordshire's most tranquil areas.
People find tranquillity in many different ways but generally in a natural environment, absent from man made disturbances. Its importance for the good of our physical and mental well-being is widely recognised. It underpins the economy of rural areas through rural tourism. But there is no time to lose for areas of complete tranquillity are fast disappearing through the pressure of development across England, more traffic on new roads and airport expansion bringing noise and pollution.
Already CPRE and other organisations have campaigned successfully to retain areas of Green Belt in Bedfordshire, for instance, to ensure that tranquil areas such as Flitwick Moor and Warren Wood (proposed site for a new Center Parcs resort) are not lost. We also hope that more people will come to recognise and enjoy the many other fine areas of tranquillity in Bedfordshire, such as Swineshead Great Wood (in the north), villages and landscapes around Old Warden (in the centre), the open spaces east of Westoning (Sampshill) and near Pulloxhill over to the Sharpenhoe Clappers in the south.
In order to create these revolutionary maps, a range of people across England were consulted about their views on tranquillity. Building on those responses to establish what makes a visitor feel tranquil, the maps were then compiled using computer-based techniques and geographical databases. Each 500 metre square of England’s land mass is given a tranquillity score and colour-coded.
CPRE Bedfordshire wants the local authorities and regional assembly to ensure that tranquillity protection policies are embedded in future planning policies and to ensure these are used by organisations, including parish councils, and individuals to campaign for truly sustainable development in our area.
Read more about the national Tranquillity Campaign
