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Flitwick town centre revamp falls short too, say residents
Consultation reveals more than 80 per cent are unhappy with development plans.
Plans to redevelop Flitwick town centre have missed the mark, according to residents.
The regeneration proposals have been drawn up by an informal partnership including Mid Beds District Council, Bedfordshire County Council, Tesco, local property developers and rail interests.
But 82 per cent of residents think the overall balance of the plans is not right – stating the mooted Tesco is too big, the planned level of parking too small, and a feeling that community facilities are not being prioritised over other elements.
Meanwhile, 84 per cent of residents do not think the plans have adequately addressed community safety issues.
Coun Ken Matthews, Mid Beds Council's portfolio holder for planning, said: "There are many areas where we will need to look at local people's views more closely to further improve the masterplan.
"We will be working with partners including the police to help address community safety issues, and with housing associations to raise the profile of affordable housing."
A six-week public consultation on the plans ended in mid-December. More than 230 people made their thoughts known.
Findings in the report also suggest residents are more concerned with improving the High Street, CCTV provision, educational, healthcare and recreational facilities, rather than creating cheaper housing. However, Coun Matthews still drew particular attention to the need for more affordable housing in the area.
He said: "The partners have a lot more to do to develop these plans. We want to include people's wishes wherever possible and where we can secure funding from the developers to pay for it.
"Housing is needed in the area and Mid Beds is committed to ensuring that any new housing contains a proportion of affordable housing – for example rent or joint ownership schemes – to help local people get on the property ladder."
The partnership hopes to be in a position to report a revisited masterplan and planning framework to the council's executive in May.
If approved, developers aim to submit planning applications in late 2008 or early 2009.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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