Thousands of homes backed despite 'crushing impact'

The go-ahead has been given to build 5,000 homes near several villages, despite concerns about the "crushing impact" of three major projects being built in the area at the same time.

The Marston Valley development in Bedfordshire will be built close to the site of the proposed Universal Studios theme park and the new East West Rail line, following council backing on Thursday.

Villagers said developers of the three schemes had not been talking to each other about things like traffic and impact on the environment.

The firm behind Marston Valley, Central Bedfordshire Council and Universal have been contacted for comment. East West Rail said it was "continuing to work" with the housing developer.

O&H Properties, which is behind the Marston Valley project, said it would create about 4,500 jobs and include schools, a surgery, and retail and community facilities.

The site would cover 1,448 acres (586 hectares) between Brogborough, Lidlington and Marston Moretaine.

Several parish councils have objected to the plans, citing concerns about traffic, the environment and the cumulative effect of building Marston Valley, Universal's theme park and the Oxford to Cambridge rail link in the next few years.

Sue Clark, a Conservative councillor for Cranfield and Marston Moretaine, told Thursday's Development Management Committee meeting the three projects would have a "crushing impact" on the area.

She said: "The fundamental flaw remains the inadequate east to west access across the site - we've always asked for a road, I'm not sure we're getting it."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Leigh Stolworthy, a planning consultant, told the meeting: "The traffic impact of Universal Studios has been considered as far as possible with the information available."

Councillors gave the go-ahead to the homes, although some conditions requested by campaigners were imposed - including natural screening between the new development and existing villages.

Graham Turner, who lives in Lidlington, said he was "disappointed" by the result.

"The roads are going to be gridlocked, mainly because these projects aren't talking to each other.

"We've said over and over again that they must, must, liaise."

Stewart Long, from the Marston Moretaine Action Group, said: "You can't avoid a sense of disappointment.

"But, it was great that there were some really good conditions put on, which we really fought hard for.

"One was a real commitment to the green buffering."

Natalie Wheble, external affairs director at the East West Railway Company, said: "East West Rail is continuing to work with the promoters of the Marston Valley development to integrate our plans with their own designs.

"Our current consultation includes proposals to create a new link road between Station Road and Marston Road through the Marston Valley development. This is intended to make the station accessible from the road network without increasing traffic through Lidlington village."

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