Residents Object to Industrial Units Development in Houghton Regis North

Strategic Insights -

Residents in the Bidwell West area of Houghton Regis North have launched a petition against the proposed development of five industrial units on a site located behind Cresswell Edge and Seaton Crescent. The project, outlined by Tungsten Properties Limited, also includes access from Bedford Road, parking, service yards, and landscaping. However, the petition, signed by 1,095 residents, claims the developer has failed to address concerns raised by Central Bedfordshire Council planners, including overdevelopment, harm to local residential amenity, and impact on highways and rights of way.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proposed development of five industrial units, access, parking, service yards, and landscaping on a 13-acre site near Cresswell Edge and Seaton Crescent has raised concerns among local residents.
  • The petition, with 1,095 signatures, objects to the development on grounds of overdevelopment, harm to local residential amenity, and impact on highways and rights of way.
  • Central Bedfordshire Council planners raised concerns in pre-application stage, which the developer has failed to address meaningfully.
  • The project does not comply with the adopted framework plan, but the site forms part of the strategic allocation supporting employment use.
  • The application proposes a total gross external area of approximately 18,236 square meters and includes the diversion of a public right of way.
  • Residents claim the developer has misled them regarding the use of the site, which was shown in the Houghton Regis North (HRN2) framework plan as green space or landscape buffer.
  • The proposed development would breach the original vision for a well-balanced and community-focused neighborhood, according to the petition.

Statistics:

  • 1,095 residents have signed the petition against the proposed development.
  • The proposed development site is approximately 13 acres in size.
  • The application proposes a gross external area of about 18,236 square meters.
  • The local authority's highways officer and rights of way officer have raised objections to the project.

Sources:

  • Change.org petition (https://chng.it/YTtktwpRp)
  • Local newspaper (exact publication not specified)
  • Planning statement by the Pegasus Group on behalf of Tungsten Properties Limited (exact document not specified)
  • Central Bedfordshire Council (exact source not specified)
  • Houghton Regis North (HRN2) framework plan (exact source not specified)