It was standing room only at Barton Rovers Football Club on Monday night when angry locals gathered to oppose plans for proposed traveller sites at two village locations.
The Barton Residents Action Group updated members on progress and urged everyone to attend the full Central Beds Council meeting at Chicksands tomorrow (April 18) when the plans are expected to be ratified.
Spokesman Richard Beechener, whose family have farmed in the area for five generations, said: “Our contention is that this is a flawed procedure.
“Why are we being lumbered with a plan that no-one wants, that is against the wishes of the whole community?
“This has not been debated in public. The council is supposed to be open and transparent but these sites were chosen behind closed doors.
“Faldo Road site 16 is on green belt – good agricultural land which will be lost.”
He said surveys showed it was on wet lowland that would not be suitable for dwellings and the group was considering mounting a legal challenge: “Site 116 which is close to Barton is to be increased, so why do they need an additional site? I’ve yet to meet anyone who thinks it’s a good idea.”
He added: “Villagers are up in arms. The mood for protest is strong. We will all be going tomorrow to put forward our objections.
“This is our last chance to persuade the council of the folly of what they are trying to do.”
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