When a town like Biggleswade needs money for infrastructure it often looks to promote new development in order to foot the bill. All new builds are subject to a Section 106 levy (often shortened to S106). These funds are paid by the developer to the council to fund any works required to local infrastructure as a result of the new homes. This can include schools, doctors, playing fields, roads cemetery and allotment improvements, leisure facilities…almost anything in the community that’s a ‘capital project’ – so new or improved buildings or facilities. WHAT COMES FIRST, THE BUILDING OR THE INFRASTRUCTURE? For most large planning applications there will be a milestone that…
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ACCESS FOR ALL ON KINGS REACH
While canvassing on Kings Reach I met Phil Button who has been campaigning tirelessly for improved accessibility on the Kings Reach estate. The issues he raises don’t only impact on those with mobility issues, but also anyone with a pushchair or sight problems. There are a number of streets, such as Maunder Avenue, where there is simply no pavement and I found myself walking in the road for fear of upsetting any householders (I wasn’t sure if it was part of their front garden!) but I can easily see how it would become a rutted and a trip hazard in the summer and a muddy quagmire in the winter. If…
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UPDATES ON ACTIONS FROM THE EASTER WEEKEND
After a very busy Easter weekend canvassing I thought I’d provide an update on things I’ve been doing so far plus a further update on previous actions. ST. MARGARETS GARDENS: The pavement and road here is full of craters and very uneven. This is a huge concern for anyone using it and particularly the largely elderly population of this road. Central Beds have now agreed to send someone to assess this for repair. BUS STATION SIGNAGE: Several people mentioned to me about the lack of signage in the town centre making it impossible for drivers new to our town to locate the bus station. I have contacted the town council…
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HOW CAN AN INDEPENDENT COUNCILLOR IMPROVE POLICING IN BIGGLESWADE?
I’m delighted to see the Biggleswade PCSO’s are planning to meet residents in the town this weekend as one of my key aims if I’m elected is to work for an increase in visible policing. Visible policing will act as a deterrent to prevent crime. This proactive, rather than reactive, approach will reduce the number of criminals are coming into Biggleswade to conduct crimes. Our lack of policing means Biggleswade is viewed as an ‘easy target’ and this needs to change. POLICE STATION CLOSURE Back in 2014 an announcement was made that, alongside other Beds stations, Biggleswade police station was to close in order to save money on police…
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HOW COULD WE IMPROVE BIGGLESWADE TOWN CENTRE?
Even with its amazing potential, some lovely historical buildings and very friendly people our town centre is in decline. The sudden closure of the Stratton House Hotel, a cornerstone of the town, came as a shock to many and yet there are so many other businesses on the brink. Talking to business owners the retail park and vastly reduced footfall in the town (attributed to the parking charges) are often cited as reasons that are contributing to the problem. I have been talking to local businesses about these issues and how we might address them. The rise in internet shopping has seen the decline in high streets everywhere but some…
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UPDATES
There were lots of issues raised by residents while I was canvassing over the weekend that I wanted to share alongside an update on actions I’ve taken so far. I’ll provide further updates as and when I get them. 1. Drug dealing/taking around the pocket park and BP garage – reported to my contact in North Beds police who will log it as intelligence, hopefully this will lead to patrols. 2. Potholes on Chambers Way that get patched but need almost constant repairs – I have been in touch with CBC who are going to assess if it needs re-surfacing. 3. Speed limit & road markings on Chambers Way near…
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More new houses proposed for Biggleswade
ANOTHER PLANNING APPLICATION FOR 412 HOUSES FOR BIGGLESWADE CBC has yet another application for up to 412 homes to the north of Biggleswade going through its planning process. Although seemingly ‘greener’ than most, with the provision of allotments next to the railway line, there has been no consideration for infrastructure – doctors, dentists, schools, roads and parking that are already groaning under the weight of existing demand. The applicants openly admit this proposal would sit on prime arable farming land, part of the beautiful countryside which we are rapidly losing from all around us. This application has been prepared in light of the Central Beds local plan – which has…
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Does Biggleswade need more parking?
Back in March 2018 CBC initiated a parking study (report number: 70042827-TN01) and came up with recommendations on how to improve the town centre parking (report number: 70042827-TN02). The recommendations report concluded that there will be a strain on parking in Biggleswade and we would require additional town centre parking capacity to meet forecast demand until 2036. However, Biggleswade Town Council implemented changes to parking in the town centre on 1st August 2018 and it was noted by Parking Enforcement Officers that parking in Biggleswade had changed, with usage in the town centre car parks reducing substantially and an increase in on-street parking. As a result CBC commissioned a new…
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Have you heard about CBC plans for a ‘Biggleswade Healthcare Hub’?
Biggleswade residents often mention to me that poor access to healthcare is a major, growing, issue in the town. CBC acknowledge this saying ‘Currently the provision of health and social care across central beds is fragmented, of variable quality, uneven access to good care and the supporting range of health and social care options available to people’. CBC recognise that if they fail to ‘reconfigure health and care services in anticipation of demand it will put a significant pressure on already vulnerable hospital services and fundamentally undermine the quality of care provision’. So what’s their plan? The population of central Bedfordshire is currently 278,900 but CBC predict it will rise…