Bedfordshire Association of Town and Parish Councils (BATPC) has called on the Government to listen to the voices of existing communities and the parish and town councils that represent them, over its plans for a new town near Tempsford with over 40,000 homes.
Responding to the Government’s New Towns Draft Programme consultation, BATPC stressed that should the proposals go ahead, the interests of existing communities need to be properly represented from the outset, while any new communities must have parish level representation.
BATPC’s submission stresses that existing town and parish councils and the residents they serve must not be sidelined in favour of top-down decision-making structures. It calls for a formal role for local councils in any development corporation established to deliver the new town plans, which will have far-reaching implications on those in the immediate vicinity and beyond.
BATPC have also called on the government to ensure that the character, identity and heritage – and the infrastructure needs – of longstanding communities are recognised and protected throughout any development process and beyond.
BATPC County Committee Chairman, Cllr Madeline Russell, said:
“If the Government is serious about pursuing development that actually works—for both existing and new residents—it must start by listening to the communities already here. Meanwhile any new communities must have proper representation, with parish-level governance for all.
Parish and town councils are the democratic voice of local communities and we are calling for them to have a formal seat at the table within any development corporation formed to deliver these plans. Should Tempsford New Town go ahead then local knowledge, concerns and aspirations must shape how this it is planned and delivered.
Cllr Russell added: “The character and heritage of existing communities must also be protected, along with their infrastructure needs which will of course be affected by any development of this scale.”