Tempsford reisdent Mark Cleary (Image: SWNS)
The residents of Tempsford, Bucks, a village with a population of 600, argue that the proposal to build an additional 350,000 homes nearby will inflate its size beyond that of Cambridge or Oxford.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is anticipated to address the funding for East West Rail in her speech today (January 29). This railway is set to link an ‘Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor’ with new stations in Tempsford and Cambourne.
However, locals are disgruntled with the plans to develop their ‘quiet and peaceful’ village, which boasts historical ties to the Doomsday book.
The village of Tempsford has a population of 600 (Image: SWNS)
Tempsford is a ‘quiet and peaceful’ village (Image: SWNS)
David Smith, 50, who chairs the Parish Council in Tempsford, voiced his concerns that the proposed housing would ‘decimate’ the village.
He said:”We understand that Cambridge and Oxford need new homes but we’re too small a village to say no to anything. We’ve got no voice, no power and those in charge don’t care. This will decimate everything by making Tempsford as big as Milton Keynes and Cambridge together.
“You shouldn’t be able to take all of this away without consequences. We don’t want to be the next Milton Keynes.”
Tempsford reisdent Paulette Smith (Image: SWNS)
Paulette Smith, 64, expressed her cynicism towards all governments, stating that opposing any plans was pointless.
Ms Smith, a Tempsford resident since 1996, said: “The big boys come in and do it anyway, no matter how much we shout and scream about it.
“It doesn’t matter what government it is, they’re all the same.
“I just can’t envision more than quarter of a million houses in this beautiful little village.”
Outlining the lacking local infrastructure, she added, “They’d need a GP, a dentist, schools and we don’t even have that now – all we’ve got is a farm shop.”
Tempsford residents are up in arms over the feared loss of their cherished rural landscape and its wildlife, including rabbits, deer, and birds, due to proposed housing developments.
Resident Mark Cleary, 58, is so disenchanted with the idea of expansion that he would consider moving, stating boldly: “Labour shouldn’t be wasting their time with building houses around here when there’s much better things to be focusing on.
“I’ve got sympathy for the need for new homes but to expand here is crazy.
“We’d have to move as it just isn’t why we decided to live here.”