Terra are promoting the area for a new sustainable urban development of at least 1,875 homes. The proposal will also include older persons housing, designed to meet a specialist need and integrated into the heart of the scheme – providing a supportive and mixed community. The area has key links to the local strategic road network and has limited policy constraints compared with other areas of the district.

Alongside the above, the sustainable urban development at Beadlow can assist with the following:

• An opportunity to provide additional funding for a new Secondary school, alongside providing new primary schools within the Development. This will help cater for new and existing residents.
• Road improvements to the A507 – this development can be directly linked to assist in bringing key road schemes forward sooner.
• High quality homes that are energy efficient, incorporating new technologies to assist in efficient heating, as well as widespread adoption of existing technologies to ensure take-up – such as EV charging points for electric vehicles with every parking space.
• New open space areas and enriched wildlife habitats – so the village can leave a positive eco footprint.

Terra continue to promote the site for development through the plan making process for Central Bedfordshire. The draft Local Plan for Central Bedfordshire is currently being examined by Planning Inspectors. While the Beadlow proposal is not currently included, Inspectors have expressed significant concerns about the draft Plan and the examination is currently paused. It is highly likely that additional or replacement sites will need to be added to the Local Plan to address the Inspectors’ concerns. In our view, Beadlow Park would be an ideal addition to the Local Plan and reflects the Local Plan’s emphasis on delivering infrastructure and maximising the benefits of development.