Against strong opposition from Liberal Democrats a meeting of the Labour/Conservative controlled Luton & South Beds Joint Planning Committee on Monday (30th June) backed a proposal that 5,500 new homes should be built on the green field site East of Luton.

“Labour and Tory councillors who between them control the Luton & South Beds Joint Planning Committee need to explain to Luton residents why they now call this disastrous scheme their preferred urban extension” says Liberal Democrat Councillor Qurban Hussain.

“Local residents do understand the need for new homes in the Luton area. Their own families are facing the growing problem of finding somewhere to live, but they also recognise that access to the proposed development can only present problems which are impossible to resolve.”

The proposed developers have admitted they will be seeking access from existing residential routes. The only access points are Putteridge Road, Hayling Drive, Crawley Green Road, Eaton Green Road and Hitchin Road.

“These roads cannot cope with the rush hour traffic now. Another 5,500 families – that’s probably 14,000 adults and children – trying to get to work, shop, school or wherever simply means the roads will be clogged up for hours. Just ask any Stopsley or Wigmore resident and they will tell you their morning journey into Luton is horrendous now” says Qurban.

“We should be looking at the areas North of Luton, Houghton Regis and Dunstable for the houses Luton certainly needs. When this issue first came up about three years ago even Labour and Tory members initially agreed the East of Luton site should only be considered ‘if necessary’. They need to explain to Luton residents why they now call this disastrous scheme their preferred urban extension.”