NO! to Bushwood

Perhaps it was an omen, and that the sun does indeed shine on the righteous. In this case the righteous indignation of the villagers of Caddington and Slip End to the proposed building of some five and a half thousand homes in pristine greenbelt, who already suffer from an inadequate infrastructure to cope with existing local projects.

The sun shone on icy roads and pavements as first the organisers then the support teams and the Press gathered in the Slip End Village Hall car park. They were waiting for those who planned to walk in protest between the two villages most affected by this ill-conceived attempt by Developers to build their proposed monstrosity in an area which is outside the preferred zones for new housing within the area.

Esther Rantzen was there at the start, as were Ruth Gammon, Richard Stay and Nigel Huddleston, and several faces known to the local community, and as the crowd swelled, the St. John Ambulance team and the Police were on hand to help ensure the smooth running of the march. Despite this, numerous vehicles did find themselves retreating or being diverted, but good humour was in abundance, as were dogs who were more used to solitary walks. Families were out as much to enjoy the sunshine and the social gathering as to protest, and it was also obvious that the schools, parents and churches had been helping children to create their own personal banners and tabards.

Despite many choosing to join the march part way through or at the final destination, there was a very commendable turnout of willing villagers who braved the cold to make the full distance, though they did have to be coaxed to chant – to many it was undoubtedly a great social occasion, even though whilst photographing the event I did hear a lot of talk that was centred on the point of it all.

Once everyone had arrived at Caddington Green, the case (CaSE4!) was explained in greater detail, as to why it was essential that the local voice was heard, even though the Developers have yet to make an official Planning Application. One of the local doctors, Dr Verity, also spoke to the crowd, to appeal for people in the ‘at risk’ groups: the elderly and and the under-5s, to visit the surgery for Swine Flu jabs. Can we be immunised against greedy and devious Developers?

It will be interesting to see how prospective local politicians treat this issue when they seek our vote this Spring.