The Petition of residents of Luton,

Declares that the Petitioners strongly object to the Strategic Specific Site Allocation to the North of Luton, to the employment sites at Sundon and beside the A6 and to the proposed Luton Northern Bypass; notes that the Petitioners believe that the location for development is wrong because of the distance to Luton Town Centre, the limitation to increase capacity on the existing roads like the A6 and B579, the impact on schools and other local facilities, its poor location in relation to public transport, the direct impact on Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the negative social and economic impacts on the nearby residents and the costs to the taxpayer; and further notes that the Petitioners believe that there are better alternatives for growth instead.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to encourage Luton Borough Council to consider alternative sites for development in and around Luton.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Kelvin Hopkins, Official Report, 30 March 2011; Vol. 526, c. 486.]

[P000911]

Observations from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government:

The allocations referred to are contained in the Luton and southern Central Bedfordshire Joint Core Strategy. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government received a request on 1 August from the Luton and South Bedfordshire Joint Committee for the withdrawal of the Core Strategy. In response to this request, the Secretary of State has written to the Joint Committee on 7 September directing that the Core Strategy must be withdrawn. Following this direction, the petitioners may wish to discuss their concerns with Luton Borough Council, who are responsible for preparing a plan for the area.