AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM SILSOE PARISH COUNCIL REGARDING THE PROPOSED RETIREMENT VILLAGE SURROUNDING THE EXISTING TAYMER NURSING HOME.

Your Council is extremely angry and disappointed to have to report that we have just discovered the planning application for the above was approved, without our knowledge, on the 24th April. This despite repeated assurances from Central Bedfordshire Council that they were waiting for new plans from the developer to address the serious safety concerns over access and traffic on the adjoining roundabout. This scheme will result in 165 new dwellings outside the village envelope and we have strenuously objected on behalf of residents and the owners of the existing nursing home. We met with Council officials who all appeared to be in agreement that new plans were needed before any decision could be made. We are continuing to seek urgent clarification but it would appear that CBC have again demonstrated complete disregard for the views of the community.

Also, very concerning to us is that, from the information currently available, it appears that that the majority of the monies to be provided by the developers under the usual 106 agreement (which aims to balance the pressure created by the new development with improvements to the surrounding area ensuring that where possible the development would make a positive contribution to the local area and community) will be spent outside the parish.
We will keep you informed. Silsoe PC