PEOPLE-POWER delivered a strong message to Beds councillors on Sunday when hundreds of protestors turned out for a march against the destruction of a vast area of Herts Green Belt. The march, organised by action group Keep East Of Luton Green, sent a clea

PEOPLE-POWER delivered a strong message to Beds councillors on Sunday when hundreds of protestors turned out for a march against the destruction of a vast area of Herts Green Belt.

The march, organised by action group Keep East Of Luton Green, sent a clear message to the Luton and South Beds joint planning committee that their plans to expand Luton across the county border are totally unacceptable.

The committee's proposals to build 5,500 new homes, a Luton bypass, an employment site and a park-and-ride in North Herts would destroy an area of prime countryside the size of 20,000 football pitches. Hikers, cyclists, dog walkers and horse riders set off from Cockernhoe to walk round the threatened area. As they wound through the countryside they formed a procession over a mile long.

David Wynn, KEOLG secretary, said: "We achieved what we wanted to do which was to raise awareness of the plans and show people the quality of the countryside that would lost.

"We will also be sending post cards out to every household in North Herts which can be posted to object to the development and we will be holding public meetings in Bedfordshire because they have decided not to run any public meetings, only public exhibitions."

Public meetings to discuss the issues take place tonight (Thursday) at Cassel Memorial Hall in Lilley, on Tuesday at Kimpton Memorial Hall and there will be an exhibition on Wednesday at Cockernhoe School. Officers and councillors from NHDC will be on hand to present the views of the council and to answer questions.

To voice your opposition to the proposals before the end of the public consultation period on June 12 write to David Atkinson, Joint Technical Unit, 960 Capability Green, Luton LU1 2PE or email erplnjtu@luton.gov.uk

Dates for the Diary

Beds exhibitions

May 9: Arndale Centre, Luton, 9.30am-5pm.

Quadrant Shopping Centre, Dunstable, 9.30am-3pm.

May 14: Putteridge Recreation Centre, Luton, 5pm-8pm .

May16: Bedford Square, Houghton Regis, 10am-3pm.

NHDC public meetings:

May 7: Lilley, Cassel Memorial Hall, 8pm.

May 12: Kimpton, Memorial Hall, 8pm.

May 13: Cockernhoe School, 5-8pm

May 20: Breachwood Green Village Hall, 8pm.

KEOLG public meetings:

May 9: Wigmore Church, 10am.

May 21: Stopsley prtimary School, 8pm.