The following letter from Mid Beds District Council was received in response to presentation of the Wildlife Petition:-

16th December 1999

Dear Mr Janowski

Saxon Gate Wildlife Petition

I write in response to your attendance at the Council Meeting on 18 November 1999, and the presentation of the petition calling upon this Council to make provision for a wildlife area as part of the Local Centre Landscaping Scheme at Saxon Gate.

You may be interested to know that the development at Stratton is based upon a planning brief from 1991, which received approval following a lengthy public consultation. There is provision within that brief for the retention of hedgerows, provision for landscaping and the possible restoration of old ponds on adjoining County Council land and the brief has been amended and updated over the last 8 years to take into account the changing social and economic environment.

As you are aware, archaeologists are currently on site and have been working closely with the Ivel Valley Countryside Project and the Council's Arboricultural Officer to protect wildlife and associated habitats.

A recent report to this Council's Property and Economic Development Committee on 7 October 1999, sought sensitive development of the Local Centre site and the provision of a management scheme for the area in general, taking account of the habitat requirements. This Council will also approach Bedfordshire County Council with a proposal to create a new pond/wetland area on the site of the linear wood.

The Council's Estates team has carried out a very successful public consultation with the residents at Stratton and it is clear that the needs of the local people have to be balanced with those of the wildlife habitats. The proposals set out in the report of 7 October 1999, together with the current planning briefs will allow the Council to complete the development of the Local Centre and Public Open Space and achieve an acceptable balance.

We would take this opportunity of thanking you for your interest in this project and hope that you will be reassured by the comments above.

Yours sincerely

C A Tucker

Chief Executive