I know there are significant concerns locally about proposed developments in Harlington. And I'm grateful to the Harlington Village Action Group for meeting with me recently to share their views about the emerging plans - and to discuss how we can work together.
I agreed to meet the Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook to discuss the specific issue of development in Harlington, particularly in the content of the revised National Planning Policy Framework and Government policy to encourage development around train stations like Harlington.
I'm pleased that he agreed to meet, where I discussed local concerns about losing important agricultural land, threats to our countryside and landscapes, flooding risks, the importance of our local rural character, and the prospect of developments hemming in a station with insufficient thought to future needs.
That is particularly the case in areas where high density development is expected, but with little existing infrastructure. If you push high density, you leave no space for the infrastructure people rely on like GP surgeries and shops, especially in a rural community like Harlington.
While I understand generally of the benefits of building around transport hubs, the current proposals just doesn't make sense in reality, and I will continue to work with the local action group in Harlington.
It was a productive meeting with the Minister and I will be following up with Central Bedfordshire Council to ensure all of these concerns are taken into account, including in the context of the local plan review which is ongoing.
