Additional Comments on Maulden Housing Needs Survey

If they do build anything, where are shops locally. No Post Office. No Parking. If any Councillors would like to come and survey, check speeds on A507 bypass. (Unreal.) Also old people on Pine View Park can't get across A507. Badly needs a crossing. You have to get across this road to get a bus to anywhere, to get to post office, shop, or anything. In Flitwick Rd we have a council owned farm with redundant farm buildings, couldn't sites like this be converted into affordable housing. This is just one example, I'm sure there are others. There are inadequate local facilities in Maulden to support additional residents, particularly families with children. The local school is oversubscribed resulting in local children having to travel outside the village. Our own granddaughter was refused a space even though the family have attended the school for some generations. The village Post Office has now closed and there are no medical facilities of any form. There is a growing vandalism and burglary problem which could be attributed to the influx recently of more families with children who have no local amenities of a recreational nature. The local nature reserve has been repeatedly vandalised and there is an obvious increase in visible drug activity. Police presence is sadly lacking, partly attributable to reduced local resources so that response times are totally inadequate. Village should be able to cope with and support an average 1% p.a. increase in housing stock, say 10% over 10 years - but in smallish developments. We have never had so much trouble in Maulden until Sandy Acres was revamped. The school can't deal with any further children. It's about time building in Maulden was stopped! I have lived in Maulden my whole life and never really wanted to leave. Larger houses locked up by under-occupation - need for housing for older people. Current available brownfield sites should be used as a priority. More visibility of the parish council's members' interests, e.g. do any own land that could be developed now or recently. Are any builders or similar who would benefit from new housing. There are too many houses already. The village has expanded enough already. Would be interested in understanding the housing needs following this survey. Will feedback be available? Maulden cannot take any more houses. There is not the infrastructure in place, i.e. not enough school places, no Post Office. The Housing Association do not care for the houses they have, how can they afford to build? The Council haven't the money to repair or maintain the existing roads or grass cut the verges. The existing social housing / owner occupier estates are very run down and need money spent to bring them up to date. What is the point of increasing the population of the village when the necessary infrastructure is not in place. No doctor, no dentist. One shop only. The entire character of the village has been changed beyond all recognition from when we first moved into the village some 30 years ago. It is also a pity that no thought was given to housing needs of local people before building properties for overspill families from Marsh Farm. Whatever type of housing is built in Maulden in the future, the infrastructure needs to be in place to support it. i.e. roads, schools, Post Office (none at present), bus service, shops, GP services etc Already excessive overdevelopment which has overwhelmed the limited facilities available especially the school and preschool, and parking. There appears to be a relentless trend on shared ownership property or Housing Association arrangements in the village; I personally do not see any further need for development on either of these fronts. The village has virtually no infrastructure compared to Flitwick or Ampthill so I am at a loss to understand the basis or need for further rented or affordable housing. Adding more houses to Maulden will only impact on an already over-subscribed school and lose the 'feeling' of living in a village, making it even more like its neighbour Ampthill. People move to and live in villages for a feeling of peace and a sense of community. The recent addition of Sandy Acres to the villages shows how detrimental social housing can be. Affordable starter homes for younger Maulden residents should be a priority. Although not currently in need of extra care housing, I feel that such a facility would allow older people not to have to go into residential care and allow them to stay in the village. Any new development must be sited where access is good and infrastructure already exists or can be added without detriment to existing houses. Care must be taken to preserve the richness and character of Maulden. I would comment that this survey is far too simplistic it fails to actually provide any information or space to justify responses given. Maulden is in a situation whereby a proposal for a g&t site was made. The very reason villages did not support the proposal is because of the lack of infrastructure in the village. The school is currently undersubscribed at every level there’s only one local shop with no parking. There must be a sufficient and sustained improvement to support additional housing before any suggestion of building additional homes is made. No room at village school more homes would impact on village community There are enough houses already Houses to be built with ample parking provided. More and more homes today have two cars - garages are used as extra storage so cars frequently parked on the road often half of the pavement resulting in an eye sore. Today everywhere requires 2 parking areas. Garden close is an excellent example when this was being planned local people raised the issue of inadequate parking being provided I rest my case! There is not enough room in the schools for any more children I would support a development of smaller bungalows in Maulden providing they are for Maulden residents 3 bedroom semis for growing families after 1st time buy next up ladder nowhere to go in Maulden so many go away I think that so many houses have been built already spoiling the village in many ways. Keep some of the housing for local people I THINK it is very important that if any new houses are built that 1.sewage capacity is appropriate 2.local transport is upgraded 3.local social care services are proportionate. It is not useful for new houses to be built if local facilities are not available School not big enough, paths and road in bad state. Too many cars and too fast Better public transport would mean better access to housing/jobs in the area. if no car needed earlier to afford rent or mortgage. Generally, quite good housing availability in this area, giving proximity to London Small developments in suitable areas of the village Suggest larger developing particularly at the clophill end of Maulden. Many are senior citizens at this part of Maulden. Then perhaps we could get much needed shops doctors dentist optician and vets etc. Maulden is a much sought after area to live in. Larger family homes is a must, I have people knocking on my door continually. More 4 bed homes to buy PLEASE. It would appear that new people are coming to Maulden and living in the new housing association homes, and people that have lived in Maulden are living in very small housing association houses with 213 children in a two bed. The new homes up Snow Hill are 3/4 beds. Why were these not offered to Maulden residents living in cramped 2 bed homes? I think more needs to be done to support community if more homes are built, i.e. increase school intake ability and lower school, more convenience stores. Almost no starter homes whatsoever. There is a need to accommodate older people in smaller homes, to free up larger properties such as ours for families with children. The type of smaller house or property we need is at a huge premium on the open market. Whilst encouraging young families into Maulden, heed must be taken of the great existing pressure on all schools and services. Maulden's housing market is unaffordable for people to enter the market when looking for reasonably sized accommodation. Mid 20s daughter living at home. Future needs may need to be recognised. Both my husband and I have retired and have looked into downsizing several times but staying in Maulden where my family roots are from is not an option. We would very much like to see some sort of small retirement development for couples who wish to stay independent (not mobile homes). Maybe a small development of retirement apartments, where you can remain independent but have peace of mind that your welfare is being cared for. Unfortunately it seems that every available piece of land for development within the village seems to have more than its fair share of larger homes that local families cannot afford. My family have had to move aware from the village because affordable homes for young families are rare, they earn too much to qualify for a Housing Association home, but not enough to buy a family home in the village where they grew up. They are trapped in a catch 22 situation. Affordable homes for young families please. Believe Maulden is large enough with many recent developments of infill and backfill. If we could not support the gypsy site (which I was against) with the additional draw on the local amenities including school places then why are we even thinking of developing our village further. There is a real need for bungalows for older people in the village, most of whom want to downsize. This is turn would increase the number of 3/4 bedroom properties for families. The bungalows need to be constructed with an eye to low cost living so that older people can keep their independence for as long as possible. This also applies to the number of bedrooms. Couples may need to sleep separately for health reasons and family may need to stay for a few days to provide care. Ideally they should be built near to the bus route also for reasons of independence. Maulden and surrounding areas need more 2 bed bungalows with drives. There is not enough local amenities currently for more properties especially schools and shops. New housing is needed and more places at the local schools. I would like to see more eco-friendly housing and bungalows better designed to fit with the 21st century. We have two sons living with us at present aged 33 and 31 yrs. They would both like to move out. One currently is on the housing register for CBC and would like a flat in Maulden or Ampthill. The other son would like to buy a small house (2 beds) in the next couple of years in Maulden or nearby. Young people born in the village cannot get a foot on the housing market due to the cost to live in Maulden. Homes are let to people from outside the village/area which also pushes our young to move to others villages or towns or even further afield so splitting family units. The old garden centre next to the Dog & Badger should be turned into facilities for the community to use or for sheltered housing. We are currently living in a 3 bed semi and are looking to upsize to a larger 3/4 bed semi or detached (for bigger bedrooms). There is barely anything on the market in the last 12-18 months in the price bracket £250-300,000 that would suit a family. We have to extend our search to Ampthill where there is simply more housing stock. Scrap the bedroom tax There is plenty of affordable housing but hardly any accommodation for older people Maulden infrastructure is not adequate to support any large development, only School, one shop, no post office. Therefore limited development only is possible. There have been numerous houses built in Maulden over the last 10 years or so. However the infrastructure to support all these residents hasn't been increased to reflect the growth. The school & preschool are oversubscribed, resulting in children being turned away & having to travel to Ampthill & other surrounding areas. Residents who have lived here all their lives find their children do not get places for local education. In additional the decision to redevelop Sandyacres, moving local elderly residents out & young families in would appear to be proportionally related to the increased came in the village. I'm sure the local police will confirm the increased number of incidents throughout the village, since new residents have moved into Sandyacres. After the sale of Snowhill Maulden Bungalows there are not many left for people like me and my family who may wish to buy or have a retirement bungalow. I would only agree for more houses / bungalows to be built if they are for Maulden people. The ones just built in Snowhill + Wingfield Close are not. Building flats should be a "last resort" situation in absolute desperate circumstances. Too many large houses occupied by wealthy people who have no interest and take no part in village life.

New housing association houses have been allocated to town problem families who have caused problems in the village. Therefore any empty property should be allocated to "local" ie not Houghton Regis / Luton families - they don't fit in to villages.

Small houses + bungalows should be built to allow village people who have lived here for years to downsize + remain near to friends + continue to attend local clubs / organisations. Maulden + Ampthill are overcrowded School too small Shop too small No parking. It should remain a village. The village is overcrowded. The Local amenities are eroded. I would support a development if its location, style and who it was available to was something I felt would enhance the "village". Recent developments / planning I feel are out of character: 1) The development on the Black Horse site - too many properties on site, too close to main Road. Building materials out of character. 2) "Swiss Chalet" by village hall should be in the "Alps". 3) Pebble dash insulation on lovely old cottages in George Street looks like we have gone back to the Sixties. As someone whose home is a small terrace in a "conservation" row and has to adhere to certain building regulations I find planning a bit of a "joke"!!! I have completed this section as I hope that in the future there may be some starter homes for my son who has lived in Maulden all his life and would maybe like to live in Maulden. As he works, is not on benefit and would not be eligible for social housing!!!! We do not believe the current infrastructure could support any more homes. 1.) The school is already oversubscribed. 2.) There are limited shopping facilities. 3.) There is no bank or post office. 4.) Limited access to healthcare. OUR VILLAGES NEED PROTECTING FROM FURTHER BUILDING. Ampthill has been spoilt with the building of large estates and the same thing will happen in Maulden if we are not very careful. Whilst there is a need for low cost housing for first time buyers - unfortunately builders only seem interested in erecting large family houses costing between £400.000 - £600,000. Hardly suitable for first time buyers. Neither do we have the infrastructure to cope with further building - one only has to look at the congestion of the roads in Ampthill to realize that we will soon have gridlock. The solution to all of this is to build new towns and villages - like the Wixams LEAVE THE EXISTING VILLAGES ALONE. Depends where they would be built! We think there is room for a couple of small developments, but we would like to keep Maulden as a village not an extension of Ampthill. We have lost our Post office / shop and two Pubs in the last few years. If more people live in Maulden we need more amenities. A Post office, shop, a doctors surgery and school extension. Planning permission for the above would perhaps encourage new people to start up new business in Maulden. I think we have sufficient housing in Maulden at the moment the problem is people coming from outside the area to live here. Rather than local people who have lived in the village all their lives. I do know that there are people in the village from Luton. It is already over built Already not enough local facilities + Amenities for existing populus. Many people in large houses would like to stay in the village if smaller homes / bungalows were available New housing should be on 'brown' sites only (like the old garden centre near the dog + badger.) 1. There should be no additional house building in Maulden, the rural areas should not be sacrificed for "economic Growth." 2. I moved from Luton to Maulden to be in a village. Maulden should be preserved as a village. and not be expanded. 3. Housing for the Elderly and Housing Association should be limited to towns like Bedford and Luton - the reason for this is local amenities and infra-structure is there for these Groups already (ie Good public transport, shops, hospitals etc.) The Elderly and Housing Ass tenants require those on their doorsteps as they need them more and don't have cars. So Villages like Maulden is a bad choice for these Groups. The elderly also suffer every year due to snowed in roads etc. The amenities are not here for these Groups as they would be in large towns. We have had enough new houses and estates being built here, it is turning our village community into a town like community. Enough is enough. I would support schemes for further housing for local people if these were genuinely offered to 'local' people. However, this has not been the case in the past. Extra care housing needed. Since the only accommodation with shared facilities for elderly people was demolished, to make room for a new development of houses for younger non-local people. I have lived in Maulden for 70 years No one listens so I will not bother. Maulden has been ruined by over development! We had these in Sandy Acres but they were pulled down and houses were built in their place and people from LUTON now live in them. But people do not always want to move out of their homes that they have lived in for years - unless the "bed room tax" affects them It is too expensive!! Why are there so many expensive houses in Maulden? Poor value for money when compared nationally. It would be pointless to build more houses in Maulden until you put in the appropriate infrastructure first. The school is already over-subscribed so no need to build any more family homes. There is no doctor surgery or chemist or post office so no need for building for the elderly. Once facilities are in place a very few houses may be built depending on where the sites are going to be. Nobody wants housing association properties tagged onto their back gardens. I think it is vital to preserve to Countryside around Maulden and not build in it. I think the development of the pub by the Village Hall is a perfect example of improving an eye sore and providing new, extra housing Any development of houses would put pressure on village services, and sewers etc. Expansion of services should come first, homes later. I am disgusted that Aragon Housing are bringing in persons from areas so far away like Luton & Houghton Regis. These homes should be offered to local people first! New housing of any size should only be built when village services have been increased. ie school increased in size etc. My children no longer need the village lower school, but I am aware of parents who live in the village but have been unable to get places in the school. There has been more than enough new houses/flats built in the last 15 years or so in Maulden. Maulden is becoming more like a town we do not have the infrastructure to cope. Let us stay a village!! There is lots of ground available and there is a need for this ground to be released for smaller developments. BEFORE any new building the main sewer capacity MUST be increased. It regularly overflows / flooded allotments in village. A good design for small properties. NOT lots of pokey little rooms, built for local families and hopefully re-sold when necessary to local families!! Common sense on all projects - not density and profit. Don't spoil our village. It is a lovely place. We welcome progress - shops and transport - SEWAGE must be kept in mind at all times. Thank you. The larger family homes needed are/need to be priced fair so families living in 3 beds are able to move up without a £100,000 jump, as I know many family stuck in this gap. We feel that there should be no backfilling or infilling developments on current agricultural land. If affordable housing (houses or bungalows) is built, Maulden residents or families should have priority when the homes are allocated. Too many "executive" type houses (or at least executive prices) are being built, on plot sizes that could accommodate more "affordable" houses. Maulden Leys is a prime example of overly expensive "executive" style houses that are contributing very little to the ambience and well-being of our village.

During the debate on a proposed gypsy site in Maulden, much was made of the inability of the present infrastructure to support additional families. Yet this seems to be ignored when it comes to granting permission for "executive" developments! Eileen Brown - please take note. Would love to stay in Maulden. But need a bigger house as I have 5 children in a 3 bed house. So a new development with a 4 or 5 bed house would be great.