RESIDENTS in a town have voiced their concerns over a proposed housing development.

The Voice of Arlesey group was launched last year by residents keen for more information on the proposed development of 1,000 new homes in the town.

The development is part of Central Bedfordshire’s housing development strategy, with plans to build to the west and east of the High Street.

Proposals include 1,000 new homes as well as retail units and one small supermarket, a new school and a new town centre.

A spokesman for the group said: “This is possibly the biggest issue ever to affect Arlesey but no one seems to know what’s actually going on.”

In March, the group launched a survey to gauge public opinion and the views of 562 people were recorded.

Eighty-six per cent of respondents said they were concerned about the development and 61 per cent were against the proposals.

Twenty-one per cent did not know about the development and 27 per cent were not aware of plans for a relief road.

The group said it was pleased with the response, which had been bigger than anticipated. “This is the biggest survey of opinion that there has been, even the consultation only attracted 400 visitors,” a spokesman said.

“Just by the initial analysis, there is an absence of information and absence of transparency. We are now trying to identify the big areas of interest and concern so we can then form sub-groups to look at these.

“We got a very positive response from the planners of Central Beds, so we are hoping to meet with them and get a seat round the table.”

Arlesey Town Council chairman, Nick Daniels, said: “It was the town council that suggested that an action group was formed. We are prepared to embrace their effort and work with them at all stages of the consultation process, which I expect to gather a bit more momentum in the second half of this year.

“When Central Beds Council has decided on the strategy it is going to adopt there will be a further consultation in the village hall.

“No planning applications have been made and nothing has been specifically agreed, so people can make their views known.”

The Voice of Arlesey group can be contacted by emailing voiceofarlesey@gmail.com