Last Friday evening, Richard joined Central Bedfordshire Council leader, Adam Zerny, at a meeting of Tempsford residents to discuss views about the proposal for a Tempsford New Town, ahead of an expected announcement by the Government. The meeting was hosted by the Parish Council and started with questions on the principle of Tempsford being a potential site for a New Town. The format then moved to a series of “stations” covering specific issues of interest such as local health services, roads and flooding where residents were invited to post a thought, question or wish.
Richard Fuller MP said:
There are strong arguments why Tempsford COULD be a New Town (A1, Mainline Rail links, proximity to Cambridge), and strong arguments why it SHOULD NOT be a New Town (extensive flood plain, use of top grade agricultural land).
The main purpose of the meeting however was not to commit either way, but to accept that the government is looking at Tempsford keenly as a site, and if local residents and Councillors have not fed in thoughts early, they may find their voice “lost” as future decisions are made.
So residents had the opportunity to share views on a range of important considerations such as preservation of heritage, provision of local public services, transportation, flood risk etc. and all these thoughts will be put together and sent in to the civil servants to inform their decision process.
With over 70 residents attending, this was a good turnout for a cold January evening. There will be more ongoing discussions so that I, and local Councillors, can be best informed in carrying the voice of Tempsford residents to the Government.
You can find out more about Tempsford new town at https://www.richardfuller.co.uk/campaigns/tempsford-new-town
