on the button issue 13 | Page 4

burglaries on the rise There have been a speight of burglaries in the town recently. A few businesses plus Arlesey Pre-School had items stolen and residents were being asked to look out for suspicious activities, especially a white long wheel-base Transit that has been seen driving around and acting suspiciously. Arlesey Preschool are devastated that the children’s Wigwam has been stolen from the WI Hall Playground – it happened over the weekend of the 27th July – “If anyone has any information on it’s whereabouts we would appreciate it if they could contact us on 07815 293670 or through our car for sale Mazda 2, ‘09 Registration 1.5 SPORT, 16K Miles MOT and Tax Til Feb ‘14 Full Dealer Service History 1 Owner From New – Immaculate! £6950 ONO tel: 07818024569 Facebook page. It was bought with funds raised through the hard work of our children and committee members and it is so unfair on all of them”. One resident and local businessman had his premises targetted three times since the beginning of the year. He says “I cannot get insured now and the police do not seem to make it a priority, I might as well not bother phoning them, as they don’t do anything about it”. Residents are urged to keep vigilant and secure property as best they can. If you see or hear anything suspicious call the police on 101 or Neighbourhood Watch on 01462 732419. New bus service for local area A new bus service has been announced that will link Arlesey, Stotfold and Letchworth. It is the No. 96 and 96A and is a brand new circular route connecting Arlesey with Stotfold, Norton and Letchworth. The new service will be run by Arriva from 8th September and will operate from Monday to Friday with a shorter timetable on Saturdays. There is no service on Sundays or Bank Holidays. The new service is financially supported by Central Bedfordshire Council For a timetable on the new service go to: www.arleseytc.co.uk/wp-content/ uploads/2013/08/Newbusservice-96-from9September-09.08.2013.pdf Arlesey Residents Association A recent publication of On The Button magazine carried a report of the survey conducted by the group “The Voice of Arlesey”. This highlighted that over 50% of those who responded were unaware of the details proposed within the Local Development Plan for the development of our community. As chairman of the Arlesey Residents Association and Previous Chairman of the Town Council I would like to outline a brief description of the proposed development and the benefits which the scheme would deliver to Arlesey. The proposed sites are made up of the land at Chase Farm and land West and North East of the High Street and these were allocated in the Central Bedfordshire Local Development Frame Work under policy MA8 of the site allocations DPD (2011) for a mixed use development comprising a minimum of 1000 dwellings and 10ha of employment. The principle of the development is therefore well established. The main site of the development will be to the east of the High Street with the following proposed (i) Extra care (C2) facilities (ii) Up to 10ha of employment land to include B1,B2 and B8 uses. (iii) A Supermarket and neighbourhood centre including retail and community uses. (iv) A new doctor’s surgery (v) New Lower / Primary School (vi) A new road to relieve traffic on the High Street, Stotfold Road and House lane along with a new access roundabout on the A507 (vii) New and enhanced play spaces and recreation facilities (viii) Enhancements to pedestrian and cycle links contributng towards a creation of a ‘Green Wheel’ around Arlesey. The West side of the High Street is proposed for the construction of dwellings along with the road being constructed from the Five Ways Junction to the H