Major Bedfordshire green belt housing scheme makes progress

Central Bedfordshire Council has resolved to approve a major planning application for a mixed-use residential-led development of nearly 2,000 new homes to the west of Bidwell which forms part of the larger sustainable urban extension to the north of Houghton Regis.

This decision follows two years of extensive public engagement with the local community and successful pre-application advice with the local planning authority through a planning performance agreement.

The outline ‘hybrid’ application was submitted on behalf of the Bidwell West Consortium by planning consultancy DLP Planning Ltd. The proposed scheme occupies some 166 hectares of green belt land which has been named Houghton Regis North Site 2 (HRN2),

The development proposals will provide a mixed use scheme for the delivery of up to 1,850 dwellings including 555 affordable units, two hectares of employment land, a local retail centre, schools school and community centre and an extensive network of green infrastructure and open space incorporating sports pitches, sustainable urban drainage, heritage trail, play areas an urban park along with the protection and enhancement of the area’s Site of Special Scientific Interest, a former quarry.

The application has now be referred to the National Planning Case Work Unit and is subject to call in by the Secretary of State before the s106 legal agreement can be completed prior to issue of the formal planning permission.

View the planning report

Roger Milne