Business voice will 'keep it real' says of East of England Business Group
07/11/2005
The East of England Business Group is predicting a difficult future for jobs and wealth creation in Bedfordshire unless there is a realistic discussion about future development in the county and the surrounding region.
A business group is predicting a difficult future for jobs and wealth creation in and around the county unless there is a realistic discussion now about future development in the eastern region.
The prediction comes from the East of England Business Group (EEBG) - which represents key business organisations across the region – as it sets out its position at talks about plans for future growth and development in the region which began last week (01 November) in Ely and will conclude in March (2006) in Letchworth.
The EEBG will be participating in the formal Examination in Public (EiP) into the Draft East of England Plan (also known as the Regional Spatial Strategy) – the outcome of which will be the development blueprint that will shape the scale, nature and character of all the cities, towns and villages in Bedfordshire and the surrounding counties until 2021.
At the EiP the Group will raise its members' concerns about the inadequacy of the current draft plan which it feels is unrealistic about the location and scale of development required to maintain and grow business investment in the region.
The Group acknowledges its stance at the EiP may not be popular with many people who fear growth. But it feels now is the time for a rigorous discussion of the issues which affect the daily lives of those living, working and commuting in and around Bedford and the consequences for them and their children of not planning for workplaces and homes.
Roger Humber, the EEBG's spokesman said: 'We hope for frank discussion of issues at the EiP. We will be pointing out some home truths – such as increasing housing numbers in the right locations, the need to acknowledge the impact of London's expansion on Bedfordshire and its surrounding counties and not waiting for the ribbons to be cut on roads and railways before we actually start planning and building to secure the future prosperity of this region.
'While such issues are unpalatable to many, they are based on the legitimate concerns of our members who are contemplating increased business costs and reduced competitiveness if the final development blueprint does not deliver for business growth and wealth creation.'
- The EEBG has a PR programme of media activities during the EiP period, which ends in March. While there are issues and messages that affect that whole region, there are matters which will affect businesses in Luton and Bedfordshire and the local media will be interested in talking to business people in the areas where their readers/listeners are.
The Group is looking for business people will be happy to act as spokespeople and comment on the future economic growth and development in the county – the issues which are being discussed at the EiP. If this is something you would like to be part of, please contact
Elaine Mitchell, 01954 780209 or email elainemprplus@btinternet.com
