Planning application
An outline planning application for up to 375 homes and associated infrastructure, at Land South of Wixams, has been submitted to Bedford Borough Council (Ref. 24/02463/MAO). The site is subject to a draft allocation in the emerging Bedford Borough Council Local Plan (2040) under policy HOU15.
Our Proposals
Wates has been working on the site since 2019 and has carefully considered feedback raised by Bedford Borough Council officers, elected members, the local community and key stakeholders, to produce a planning application which will deliver the following key benefits:
- Approximately 375 high-quality, sustainable new homes including a policy compliant provision of affordable housing;
- A children’s nursery to meet local needs;
- New community facilities including a flexible community space/shop that will generate local employment; a mobility hub and meeting places;
- Sympathetic design to respect and enhance the local character with a development that blends into the landscape;
- An on-site Biodiversity Net Gain of at least 10%;
- 30% tree and hedgerow coverage, enhancing the Forest of Marston Vale;
- A network of new cycleways and footpaths, offering connections into Wixams and Wilstead, encouraging healthy active travel and promoting wellbeing;
- New public open spaces including 2 outdoor sports pitches, associated sports pavilion, an array of play areas, a total of 21 hectares of accessible green space and parkland, new community allotments and a community orchard; and
- Financial contributions towards off-site education provision, medical facilities and transport infrastructure.
We would like to thank the local community for engaging constructively with the proposals and providing feedback which has helped inform and improve the application for Land South of Wixams.
