Consultation

Open evenings
Future LAG meetings
Opportunites for the land-based sector
Survey of farmers and other land-based industries
Community consultation
Preparation of Local Development Strategy (LDS)

What are the issues that we are addressing?

The Greensand Ridge faces a number of challenges over the coming years.  Its landscape and wildlife must be conserved in the face of housing growth all around the area.  Jobs must be created in order to reverse the considerable level of out-commuting, given that more people are moving to the countryside.  And the decline in rural services needs to be addressed in order to maintain vibrant communities.

What do we want to achieve?

Our vision is for the Greensand Ridge to act as a “green lung” for Bedfordshire and the surrounding area.  This means that we will grow the local economy by making the most of our environmental assets.

Our main objectives are as follows:

• Increase opportunities for “green” tourism and leisure activities
• Help farmers and foresters to diversify into new markets, particularly connected to carbon reduction
• Grow the market for locally sourced food and drink products
• Support small business growth and community enterprise

Where will the money come from?

We are bidding for around £3 million to the Rural Development Programme for England (funded by Defra and the European Commission), which runs between 2008 and 2013.  In order to qualify for this funding, we must also attract the same amount of money again from private sources, mainly from local businesses in the area seeking to invest in their future.

Open meetings

Two evening meetings have been held for members of the public:  Poster for open evenings.

• Mon 18 Feb, 7.30pm   Lockyer Suite, The Rufus Centre, Flitwick

• Mon 25 Feb, 7.30pm   Function Room, Sandy Sports Centre

View the presentation here. (Powerpoint, 2MB)

LAG meetings

There were four sub-group meetings in February, each tackling one of the themes identified in the Expression of Interest.  There was also one meeting of the full LAG, at which the main points of the final Local Development Strategy were agreed.

We are seeking to expand the membership of the LAG, with a particular emphasis on individual land-based businesses.  There is also still the opportunity to join the LAG steering group, which will guide the day-to-day operation of the programme.  Please email  for more information or to express interest.

Survey of farmers and other land-based industries

 We have produced a questionnaire for farmers and land-based businesses in the area, in consultation with the National Union of Farmers, Country Land & Business Association, and Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. 

• Opportunities for the land-based sector

• Land-based sector questionnaire

Community consultation

As part of the submission of our LDS, we must show broad and extensive community consultation within the area.  We have produced a flier for this purpose, with a very short detachable questionnaire.  For a printed copy, please contact us.  A low-resolution version is attached here.    There is also a survey form that can be completed on-line.

Preparation of Local Development Strategy (LDS)

Following the approval of our Expression of Interest last month, our completed LDS must be submitted to EEDA by noon on Friday 14^th March.  This is a tight timetable, so there will be two drafts for consideration:

• First draft: circulated 14^th February, comments by 25^th February
• Final draft: circulated 29^th February, comments by 10^th March

These drafts will be circulated to provisional LAG members and others who have asked to be kept informed.  If you are interested in seeing these drafts but think you might not be on this list, please email us.

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