Fury at Keir Starmer as tiny UK village set to become city home to 350,000 people
Residents in Tempsford in Bedfordshire say the proposals that would see their small village turned into a city of 350,000 are 'a joke'
Rachel Reeves discusses push to build housing
Residents of a sleepy village are reportedly furious at proposals that would see it transformed into a city that houses as many as 350,000 people.
The move would boost the Labour Government's bid to create 1.5 million new homes in the next five years. But villagers in Tempsford in Bedfordshire, say the proposals are a 'joke' and have threatened to move away.
The tiny village of just 600 people is currently home to a few hundred homes, a farm shop - and a private members 'swingers club' called the Vanilla Alternative. Nonetheless, thinktank UKDayOne says the community of just 600 people is home to "probably the best-connected greenfield site in Britain".
Its 'The New Towns for New Britain' report highlights how the settlement sits at the intersection of the East Coast Main Line and the planned £7bn East-West Rail line. The village is also almost literally on the A1 - which splits the village into two distinct halves.
However folk in Tempsford have said that the new homes would "decimate everything" in their "wonderful" rural idyll. It comes just days after Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner denied accusations that Labour wants to "concrete over" the countryside.
Just last week, Ms Rayner said Labour's plans were "not riding roughshod over local decisions and what local people want because having mandatory housing targets and plans means people will be able to decide".
However, Tempsford resident Mark Cleary, said: "It is a complete joke. There's nothing wrong with a few new houses but to turn a village with historic connections to the Domesday book into a city is mad."
The 58-year-old told the Daily Mail: "I cycle for miles every day and I see all of the wildlife, deer, rabbits - it's wonderful. I've got sympathy for the need for new homes but to expand here is crazy."
"It's wrong. We'd have to move as it just isn't why we decided to live here. I bet the government haven't thought about the different types of housing needed, or have any plans for doctors or dentists."
And it seems even local young people - who are the demographic worst affected by the UK's housing crisis - are against the idea. Stanley Birkin-Walls has lived in Tempsford all his life.
The 17-year-old said: " I wouldn't want to live in a city all the way out here. I don't think my parents do either."
The views of these local residents is supported by the local council. David Sutton, chairman of the Parish Council in Tempsford, said:
"It's not: 'not in my backyard', it's 'not everything in my backyard'.
"This will decimate everything by making Tempsford as big as Milton Keynes and Cambridge together. We understand that Cambridge and Oxford need new homes but we're too small a village to say no to anything."
A spokesperson for UKDayOne told Express.co.uk: "Britain has an acute housing shortage, placing home ownership out of reach of a whole generation. In the 1980s, the average house price was three times the average salary — now it’s nine times.
The Labour government has been clear about the need for more housebuilding to fuel economic growth. It’s set up a New Towns Taskforce to shortlist strategic locations.
"UK Day One’s proposal reflects the fact that new towns are much more likely to be successful when they’re located near major transport links. That helps deliver jobs and high-quality housing where people will want to live.
"Once the Oxford-to-Cambridge line reopens, Tempsford will be probably the best location in England for a new town. We urge the Government to look into it, and to invest much of the revenues from development into improving services and infrastructure for the existing community."
However, the Labour Government has reaffirmed that the location of any new Towns has not yet been agreed.
Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said: “Our new towns will deliver housing fit for the future, shaping new communities with real character that people can be proud to call home.
“With Sir Michael in the driving seat, I know his Taskforce will work together with local people to help us decide on the right places for these new towns, delivering more homes, jobs and green spaces.
“We are getting Britain building again and our long-term vision for a new generation of new towns will enrich the lives of working people in the years to come.”
