Draft Local Plan

New village options

Please note: this page is part of our Draft Local Plan and has been superseded by our Local Plan

Four new villages in Marston Vale

(Around 5,000 new homes & 40ha of employment land)

The proposal is to develop a series of four villages and a business park. The proposed villages would deliver part of the Bedford to Milton Keynes Waterway Park and an attractive waterway linking Brogborough and Stewartby lakes. This would bring opportunities for leisure, tourism and wildlife. The proposals include green open space within the new villages and tree planting for the Forest of Marston Vale.

The growth location option lies west of Marston Moretaine, north of Lidlington and east of Brogborough. The site’s boundary is the new A421 in the north, and the Marston Vale railway line in the south.

The proposed East-West Rail route will also benefit this development. The location is close to the future East-West Rail Interchange at Ridgmont train station.

Road improvements will also be required, as well as public transport improvements to link with Ridgmont train station and surrounding settlements.

The proposal could include the following services and amenities: shops; cafes/restaurants; community facilities; leisure facilities; drinking establishments; a Health and Social Care Hub; preschool/nursery/early years facilities; enlarging existing schools and providing new schools as required.

Employment opportunities will be available through a new high-tech business park which may include research and development; office; distribution; manufacturing; service and tourism, in addition to the employment opportunities provided by local infrastructure such as schools, shops and healthcare facilities.

Four new villages east of Biggleswade

(Around 3,000 homes & 4.6ha of employment land)

The proposal is to develop a network of linked villages and this includes an opportunity to contribute towards the delivery of the Biggleswade “Green Wheel” providing an extension to Biggleswade Common.

This growth location option lies south of Sutton, west of Dunton and east of Biggleswade. It is bordered by various roads (Baden Powell Way, Dunton Lane, Biggleswade Road and Sutton Road).

This development is dependant on improvements to the A1 and the local road network so that the road network can cope. Improvements to public transport links to Biggleswade train station will also be required.

The proposal could include the following services and amenities: shops; cafes/restaurants; community facilities; leisure facilities; drinking establishments; green open space; a Health and Social Care Hub; preschool/nursery/early years facilities; enlarging existing schools and providing new schools as required.

Series of new villages near Aspley Guise (north of the railway line)

(Around 3,000 homes and employment land)

The proposal is to develop a series of linked villages and could provide a section of the Bedford to Milton Keynes Waterway Park and waterway.

The potential Oxford to Cambridge Expressway route must be confirmed before this development can come forward. Other road and public transport improvements will be required, including public transport links to Milton Keynes and Ridgmont train stations and surrounding settlements.

This growth location option lies north of Aspley Guise, north-east of Woburn Sands and south-west of Brogborough. The site’s northern boundary is the M1 road (with junction 13 to the east), and the A421 towards Milton Keynes. Its southern boundary is the Marston Vale railway line (which forms part of the future East-West rail route).

The proposal could include the following services and amenities: shops; cafes/restaurants; community facilities; leisure facilities; drinking establishments; a Health and Social Care Hub; preschool/nursery/early years facilities; enlarging existing schools and providing new schools as required.

There is potential to create green infrastructure to protect Aspley Guise and Aspley Heath from development and extensions to the Green Belt shall be considered.