News

Green light to Nirah! - [23-10-2007]

Bedfordshire County Council gives green light to Nirah

Bedfordshire County Council has today (Friday October 19) given their full support to the Nirah project.

The Council’s Development Control Committee has approved plans for the £400 Million freshwater conservation, research and leisure facility contained beneath biospheres in the heart of the Bedfordshire countryside.

The decision brings an end to years of speculation and debate about whether the project would ever clear this crucial planning hurdle.

But after three hours of debate the committee voted to approve the recommendation before them, which means that the Nirah board can now begin the task of raising the capital needed to turn the dream into a reality.

County Councillors gave their outline approval to the scheme, subject to certain planning conditions being fulfilled by the Nirah Project before full planning permission is granted.

Committee members voiced concerns over site access and traffic management and were adamant these should be resolved before full planning permission is granted. These issues will come back to the Council’s Development Control Committee for consideration once more work has been done.

Nirah will be built on the site of the former Quest pit, near the village of Stewartby, in an area formerly dominated by quarrying and the brick-making industry.

The project is a vital part of the County Council’s long term vision of bringing new jobs and growth to Bedfordshire, in an area where traditional industries are declining.

Deputy Leader of Bedfordshire County Council, Cllr Richard Stay, said: “This is a great day for Bedfordshire, because we can now turn the Nirah dream into a reality and in doing so put Bedfordshire back on the map.

“Nirah is set to become synonymous with the county in the same way that the Eden project is in Cornwall. We will now be watching Nirah’s development with great interest.

Commenting on the planning approval, Cllr John Scott, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Growth said: “Nirah is a central plank in our long term jobs and growth strategy and it is terrific to think that in the near future we will have a world-class and world-leading facility in the heart of the county, positioning Bedfordshire to attract global investment in research and conservation”

Committee Chairman Cllr Roy Johnstone said: “This is an iconic project for Bedfordshire and I look forward to the day when it comes to fruition.”

Ends

<< News Menu