Sandy Lib Dems are publishing in full, a letter sent to the Biggleswade Chronicle by local councillor, Nigel Aldis. He comments that Central Bedfordshire Council's housing strategy lacks a commitment to extend the town beyond its existing boundaries for the next twenty years.
The Editor,
Biggleswade Chronicle
The Housing Strategy for Central Bedfordshire for the next twenty years has no plans to extend Sandy outside of its current boundary. There may be some small scale infilling or back garden developments but that is all. When the current locations at the former Mellor Beauty site and next to Tesco are completed there are no more. A Garden City is way off the radar. Someone has been badly advised as to what is possible.
Natural and man-made infrastructure severely restricts the potential for further housing in the Sandy area. The mainline railway to the East, flood plains to the south and the A1 to the west impede further growth. Extending the town north is a distinct possibility but it would almost certainly have little relationship to Sandy in the same way as the Fallowfield estate is not fully integrated into the Town.
The Town could expand east beyond the railway but perhaps as many as 1,400 houses would be needed to pay for crossing points over or under the railway. So that leaves the west of the Town which is bordered by the A1. This principal road is not the only source of congestion in the town centre but it is a major factor. No further development should be considered until there is a new route for this road which is fit for purpose.
Cllr Nigel Aldis
Member for Sandy Ward
Central Bedfordshire Council
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