Campaign for Sustainable Harlington -opposing a stadium and commercial development at Junction 12, preserving the Greenbelt and the character of the village
CasH press contact - Sue Brazier 01525 875277
CaSH spokespeople:
Mike Benner, Chair, CaSH - 07971 591224
John Machin, Chair, CaST (Campaign for Sustainable Toddington) 07786 085899
PRESS RELEASES - Click on title of report to view
9th October 2007 - No surprise in delay in planning application
14th June 2007 - CaSH welcomes stadium development consultation and calls for local people to play a full role in it
5th April 2007 - IT’S BIGGER THAN THE VILLAGE!
Shocked residents unite against massive development plans at J12
2nd March 2007 - Village takes action against damaging development
9th October - No surprise in delay in planning application
The Campaign for Sustainable Harlington welcomed the announcement that a planning application for the proposed new football stadium and huge commercial enabling development at J12 has been delayed for several months.
The campaign group of Harlington residents believes that the developers are struggling to build a case for building on the green belt between Harlington and Toddington.
Mike Benner, Campaign Co-ordinator said, “We have not been told the reasons for the delay, but we believe the developers are struggling to produce a strong case for the development which would act against planning policies, transport policies, seriously damage the environment and lessen the quality of life for thousands of Bedfordshire people. Let’s hope the management of LTFC is spending the time looking at more suitable sites which are actually in Luton where a stadium would benefit fans and the local economy.”
A survey carried out by CaSH in Harlington during the developer’s ‘consultations’ in June showed an overwhelming majority of residents were against the proposals and saw no need for the community facility ‘sweeteners’ on offer.
Dave Pinkney (LTFC Chairman) has threatened fans in press statements that if they ‘miss the opportunity’ for J12 the club could end up anywhere between Junctions 8 and 14. CaSH believes that the Club needs to be looking towards a viable future and plans that will succeed by working with the local council to build a stadium in Luton and not several miles out of town on green belt land, away from the fan base.
The proposed junction 11a, for example, would provide a much more suitable urban home for the Club, within the boundaries of Luton and with good transport links for fans.
Mr Benner added, “Taking LTFC out of Luton will rip the heart from the town. Luton Town fans deserve a decent stadium for their club, but this needs to be in Luton, so the town can be justifiably proud of its Club. The fact is, that Harlington is not in Luton. It is a small historical village with its own identity and it is an unsuitable location for a football stadium.
“Given the huge commercial warehouse development at Junction 13 (Magna Park), there is absolutely no need for more warehouse sheds destroying Bedfordshire countryside at J12. I think it’s a case of back to the drawing board for Luton Town and global developers, Goodman.”
14th June 2007 - CaSH welcomes stadium development consultation and calls for local people to play a full role in it
The Campaign for Sustainable Harlington, formed in January to prevent the loss of greenbelt around Harlington, has welcomed today’s announcement by Rosemound and Luton Town Football Club that public consultations on the proposed new football stadium and an enormous commercial enabling development will begin shortly. The group is calling on all residents and community groups in the area to make their views known during the consultation.
The action group is opposed to the development at J12 and hopes that the developer will genuinely take views of local residents into account.
Mike Benner, Campaign Coordinator, said, “We welcome the opportunity to look more closely at the development and at the community facilities the developers are offering and to give our views. We all have to bear in mind that the land in question is green belt and therefore protected in local and national plans from unnecessary commercial development. The open space that this green belt provides benefits us all and the benefits of any community facilities need to be judged against what the community stands to loose. Clearly, the proposed development will bring enormous problems with traffic and congestion and vastly increased noise levels, all drastically affecting the environment, quality of life, character and sustainability of Harlington, Toddington and other villages in the area. It will also force Luton supporters out of the town on match days which could have a severe economic impact on the town.”
Ends.
5th April 2007 - IT’S BIGGER THAN THE VILLAGE!
Shocked residents unite against massive development plans at J12
The Campaign For Sustainable Harlington (CaSH) has launched a petition in opposition to proposals to build a massive distribution and football stadium complex next to the village.
The developer, Rosemound plc, has published its ‘Masterplan’ on its website which shows four enormous warehouses spread over 125 acres alongside the proposed new stadium for Luton Town Football Club totalling close to 200 acres. The ‘Masterplan’ suggests that the overall development is bigger than the village of Harlington itself which has existed since before the 13th century. Harlington covers just under 160 acres, has only 900 dwellings and is served by tiny country roads.
Mike Benner, Campaign Coordinator for CaSH said, “The images released by Rosemound bring home the true horror of what is being proposed for Junction 12. Just one medium size warehouse on this development is larger than the centre of this village including the large common and playing field. This is not just about a football stadium for the Hatters, but a massive commercial development which will destroy the green belt and the quality of life in the area. This land is treasured green belt protected by Government policy and such a development is simply not appropriate or sustainable.
CaSH is encouraged by reports that the proposed new Junction 11a may be brought forward and could lead to a more suitable location for a new stadium within the boundaries of Luton; a site also the preferred location of South Bedfordshire District Council.
Mr Benner added, “It’s essential that the local authorities and LTFC work together to ensure the needs of the wider community in Bedfordshire are met, as well as the Club’s. It is unjust to destroy greenbelt, wreck rural environments and the quality of life for residents in Harlington and the surrounding villages with such an ill-considered proposal which runs against a plethora of regulations, strategies and guidelines.
We must all support the Government’s agenda for sustainable communities to ensure the future of our towns and villages. If this green belt land goes, where will the development stop?”
Ends.
Notes to editors:
Using scale 1:5000, Rosemound’s masterplan shows the development at approx 193 acres. Harlington is 155 acres.
The masterplan can be seen at www.rosemound.co.uk <http://www.rosemound.co.uk/>
About CaSH:
The Campaign for Sustainable Harlington has (CaSH) been created by an action group of Harlington residents to oppose proposals to build a new 20,000 seat stadium for Luton Town Football Club and a 125 acre commercial distribution development.
·We recognise the need for a new stadium for Luton Town Football Club but believe this should be in a suitable urban location actually in Luton.
·We believe that the corresponding commercial development will have a significant detrimental impact on the local area.
·This ‘breaking’ of the greenbelt land surrounding the village will inevitably lead to further erosion of the greenbelt and a fundamental, irreversible change in the culture and character of the village.
2nd March 2007 - Village takes action against damaging development
Campaign for Sustainable Harlington (CaSH) will fight plans for a huge commercial development at junction 12 of the M1
An action group has been formed by residents in Harlington in opposition to proposals by developers to build a new stadium on green belt land for Luton Town Football Club and a 250 acre commercial development adjacent to Junction 12.
Called Campaign for Sustainable Harlington (CaSH), the group has been formed following a village wide survey which showed that 94% of those polled objected to the proposed development. Alliances are being sought with other villages, including Toddington, to form a Villages Against Rural Stadia (VARST) alliance and also other affected organisations.
Campaign Co-ordinator, Mike Benner, said, “A major commercial development of this kind would spell the end of the precious green belt around this and other villages, threatening this unique community and its sustainability. A stadium will bring unprecedented traffic, noise, pollution and crowds into a quiet rural area which simply does not have the infrastructure or facilities to cope.
“Junction 12 may offer an affordable solution for Luton Town Football Club, but it would be at the expense of the people in Harlington, Toddington and Westoning as well as businesses in Luton who would lose out if the Club moves out of town. It would quite simply rip the heart out of Luton. “
CaSH claims that an urban location within Luton is the appropriate place for a stadium development and is keen to support the Club and the Council in finding a suitable site.
Mr. Benner added, “We all want Luton Town to do well and achieve its competitive ambitions but it’s essential that a new stadium is in line with local plans and the Government’s sustainable communities and sustainable development agenda, so that we may all enjoy it without a devastating impact on quality of life and the environment in rural Bedfordshire. It is welcome news that the Highways Agency has approved proposals for a new junction at 11a linking the M1 to the A5. Clearly, this offers a sensible alternative location which will have the infrastructure to match the needs of a new stadium.”
Kimberley Charman, Chairman of Harlington Village Plan, said, “We have consulted Harlington residents extensively over the last 18 months in order to prepare a Parish Plan - a Government agenda that puts residents at the heart of planning for sustainable rural communities. The overwhelming response has been that residents want to protect the village and the greenbelt around it. The proposal to build a stadium at Junction 12 flies in the face of the priorities set by local residents in their Parish Plan.”
CaSH spokespeople:
Mike Benner, Chair, CaSH - 07971 591224
John Machin, Chair, CaST (Campaign for Sustainable Toddington) 07786 085899
PRESS RELEASES - Click on title of report to view
9th October 2007 - No surprise in delay in planning application
14th June 2007 - CaSH welcomes stadium development consultation and calls for local people to play a full role in it
5th April 2007 - IT’S BIGGER THAN THE VILLAGE!
Shocked residents unite against massive development plans at J12
2nd March 2007 - Village takes action against damaging development
9th October - No surprise in delay in planning application
The Campaign for Sustainable Harlington welcomed the announcement that a planning application for the proposed new football stadium and huge commercial enabling development at J12 has been delayed for several months.
The campaign group of Harlington residents believes that the developers are struggling to build a case for building on the green belt between Harlington and Toddington.
Mike Benner, Campaign Co-ordinator said, “We have not been told the reasons for the delay, but we believe the developers are struggling to produce a strong case for the development which would act against planning policies, transport policies, seriously damage the environment and lessen the quality of life for thousands of Bedfordshire people. Let’s hope the management of LTFC is spending the time looking at more suitable sites which are actually in Luton where a stadium would benefit fans and the local economy.”
A survey carried out by CaSH in Harlington during the developer’s ‘consultations’ in June showed an overwhelming majority of residents were against the proposals and saw no need for the community facility ‘sweeteners’ on offer.
Dave Pinkney (LTFC Chairman) has threatened fans in press statements that if they ‘miss the opportunity’ for J12 the club could end up anywhere between Junctions 8 and 14. CaSH believes that the Club needs to be looking towards a viable future and plans that will succeed by working with the local council to build a stadium in Luton and not several miles out of town on green belt land, away from the fan base.
The proposed junction 11a, for example, would provide a much more suitable urban home for the Club, within the boundaries of Luton and with good transport links for fans.
Mr Benner added, “Taking LTFC out of Luton will rip the heart from the town. Luton Town fans deserve a decent stadium for their club, but this needs to be in Luton, so the town can be justifiably proud of its Club. The fact is, that Harlington is not in Luton. It is a small historical village with its own identity and it is an unsuitable location for a football stadium.
“Given the huge commercial warehouse development at Junction 13 (Magna Park), there is absolutely no need for more warehouse sheds destroying Bedfordshire countryside at J12. I think it’s a case of back to the drawing board for Luton Town and global developers, Goodman.”
14th June 2007 - CaSH welcomes stadium development consultation and calls for local people to play a full role in it
The Campaign for Sustainable Harlington, formed in January to prevent the loss of greenbelt around Harlington, has welcomed today’s announcement by Rosemound and Luton Town Football Club that public consultations on the proposed new football stadium and an enormous commercial enabling development will begin shortly. The group is calling on all residents and community groups in the area to make their views known during the consultation.
The action group is opposed to the development at J12 and hopes that the developer will genuinely take views of local residents into account.
Mike Benner, Campaign Coordinator, said, “We welcome the opportunity to look more closely at the development and at the community facilities the developers are offering and to give our views. We all have to bear in mind that the land in question is green belt and therefore protected in local and national plans from unnecessary commercial development. The open space that this green belt provides benefits us all and the benefits of any community facilities need to be judged against what the community stands to loose. Clearly, the proposed development will bring enormous problems with traffic and congestion and vastly increased noise levels, all drastically affecting the environment, quality of life, character and sustainability of Harlington, Toddington and other villages in the area. It will also force Luton supporters out of the town on match days which could have a severe economic impact on the town.”
Ends.
5th April 2007 - IT’S BIGGER THAN THE VILLAGE!
Shocked residents unite against massive development plans at J12
The Campaign For Sustainable Harlington (CaSH) has launched a petition in opposition to proposals to build a massive distribution and football stadium complex next to the village.
The developer, Rosemound plc, has published its ‘Masterplan’ on its website which shows four enormous warehouses spread over 125 acres alongside the proposed new stadium for Luton Town Football Club totalling close to 200 acres. The ‘Masterplan’ suggests that the overall development is bigger than the village of Harlington itself which has existed since before the 13th century. Harlington covers just under 160 acres, has only 900 dwellings and is served by tiny country roads.
Mike Benner, Campaign Coordinator for CaSH said, “The images released by Rosemound bring home the true horror of what is being proposed for Junction 12. Just one medium size warehouse on this development is larger than the centre of this village including the large common and playing field. This is not just about a football stadium for the Hatters, but a massive commercial development which will destroy the green belt and the quality of life in the area. This land is treasured green belt protected by Government policy and such a development is simply not appropriate or sustainable.
CaSH is encouraged by reports that the proposed new Junction 11a may be brought forward and could lead to a more suitable location for a new stadium within the boundaries of Luton; a site also the preferred location of South Bedfordshire District Council.
Mr Benner added, “It’s essential that the local authorities and LTFC work together to ensure the needs of the wider community in Bedfordshire are met, as well as the Club’s. It is unjust to destroy greenbelt, wreck rural environments and the quality of life for residents in Harlington and the surrounding villages with such an ill-considered proposal which runs against a plethora of regulations, strategies and guidelines.
We must all support the Government’s agenda for sustainable communities to ensure the future of our towns and villages. If this green belt land goes, where will the development stop?”
Ends.
Notes to editors:
Using scale 1:5000, Rosemound’s masterplan shows the development at approx 193 acres. Harlington is 155 acres.
The masterplan can be seen at www.rosemound.co.uk <http://www.rosemound.co.uk/>
About CaSH:
The Campaign for Sustainable Harlington has (CaSH) been created by an action group of Harlington residents to oppose proposals to build a new 20,000 seat stadium for Luton Town Football Club and a 125 acre commercial distribution development.
·We recognise the need for a new stadium for Luton Town Football Club but believe this should be in a suitable urban location actually in Luton.
·We believe that the corresponding commercial development will have a significant detrimental impact on the local area.
·This ‘breaking’ of the greenbelt land surrounding the village will inevitably lead to further erosion of the greenbelt and a fundamental, irreversible change in the culture and character of the village.
2nd March 2007 - Village takes action against damaging development
Campaign for Sustainable Harlington (CaSH) will fight plans for a huge commercial development at junction 12 of the M1
An action group has been formed by residents in Harlington in opposition to proposals by developers to build a new stadium on green belt land for Luton Town Football Club and a 250 acre commercial development adjacent to Junction 12.
Called Campaign for Sustainable Harlington (CaSH), the group has been formed following a village wide survey which showed that 94% of those polled objected to the proposed development. Alliances are being sought with other villages, including Toddington, to form a Villages Against Rural Stadia (VARST) alliance and also other affected organisations.
Campaign Co-ordinator, Mike Benner, said, “A major commercial development of this kind would spell the end of the precious green belt around this and other villages, threatening this unique community and its sustainability. A stadium will bring unprecedented traffic, noise, pollution and crowds into a quiet rural area which simply does not have the infrastructure or facilities to cope.
“Junction 12 may offer an affordable solution for Luton Town Football Club, but it would be at the expense of the people in Harlington, Toddington and Westoning as well as businesses in Luton who would lose out if the Club moves out of town. It would quite simply rip the heart out of Luton. “
CaSH claims that an urban location within Luton is the appropriate place for a stadium development and is keen to support the Club and the Council in finding a suitable site.
Mr. Benner added, “We all want Luton Town to do well and achieve its competitive ambitions but it’s essential that a new stadium is in line with local plans and the Government’s sustainable communities and sustainable development agenda, so that we may all enjoy it without a devastating impact on quality of life and the environment in rural Bedfordshire. It is welcome news that the Highways Agency has approved proposals for a new junction at 11a linking the M1 to the A5. Clearly, this offers a sensible alternative location which will have the infrastructure to match the needs of a new stadium.”
Kimberley Charman, Chairman of Harlington Village Plan, said, “We have consulted Harlington residents extensively over the last 18 months in order to prepare a Parish Plan - a Government agenda that puts residents at the heart of planning for sustainable rural communities. The overwhelming response has been that residents want to protect the village and the greenbelt around it. The proposal to build a stadium at Junction 12 flies in the face of the priorities set by local residents in their Parish Plan.”
