HSL is putting forward a proposal for a residential development consisting of approximately 40 new homes complemented by public open spaces and recreational facilities, on land located off Bromham Road, Biddenham. This dedicated webpage serves as a central hub for information regarding our proposed plans, and most importantly, it offers you, the community, the opportunity to share your valuable views and perspectives. Your feedback is crucial in helping us shape the next steps of this project.
With nearly two decades of experience in the land and development sector, HSL is committed to fostering sustainable development practices and delivering tangible, additional benefits to the community of Biddenham wherever feasible. We believe in creating developments that not only provide much-needed housing but also enhance the quality of life for existing residents.
We invite you to thoroughly examine our initial draft proposals and share your thoughts and insights with us. We are particularly interested in understanding what types and sizes of housing are needed in the area, as well as what services and facilities could potentially benefit from improvements or enhancements. Your contributions will be highly valued and will play an important role in helping us refine and shape our plans for Biddenham, ensuring that the development aligns with the needs and aspirations of the community.
The proposed development area is outlined in red on the plans provided via the links below.
The draft plan illustrates a potential layout for the site, delineating areas suitable for new housing and those designated as public green spaces. This plan takes account of any constraints and reflects the site's potential, as determined by our initial evaluations. The site is well contained and adjoins the urban settlement boundary of Bedford on almost all sides and is in a sustainably located area between two existing housing site allocations.
Share your feedback on these proposals by using the survey section at the bottom of this page.
30% affordable homes, with around 78% of the dwellings as social or affordable rented properties and the remainder (22%) as other forms of affordable housing. Affordable homes will provide an opportunity for those struggling to get on the housing ladder and remain in the area.
Provision of a well-balanced mix of housing to support identified local needs evidence including smaller properties for those starting out or those looking to downsize.
A specialist consultant team has been appointed to survey the proposed site's sensitivity to development, ensuring that we have comprehensively evaluated the site for ecology and wildlife and have guarded the habitats of protected species. Hedgerows and trees form the site boundaries. These features will be retained by the proposals and would be appropriately buffered from development. The creation of new native planting and ponds will provide enhanced habitats for local wildlife.
Access to the site is from Bromham Road. The development would take the form of a simple priority junction and would provide a 5.5 wide carriageway with 2.0 metre wide footways along both sides. Visibility splays will be provided in line with national guidance. Potential traffic calming enhancements along Bromham Road.
The development will include new areas of publicly accessible green space. These open areas will include new tree and hedgerow planting, footpaths , open space and wildflower planting.
Extensive footpaths will be provided within a high quality landscape setting for residents to enjoy. Improved links to the existing public right of way will help to connect the new development to the existing settlement and the surrounding landscape. The proposals will also explore improvements to the local bus services and infrastructure upgrades.
We conduct in depth research into the risk of flooding and mitigate any risk identified. The site is situated wholly within the Environment Agency’s designated Flood Zone 1 so is at the lowest risk of flooding from rivers or sea. Our surface water strategy is to ensure that the development does not increase the risk of flooding on or off site. This will be achieved through the creation of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS). This will be agreed with your local flood authority before the application is approved.
The surrounding utility infrastructure (e.g. foul water, electricity, clean water, surface water and gas) will be assessed as party of a utilities assessment. Any capacity constraints will be identified and suitable mitigation proposed.
The indicative proposals focus on green infrastructure improvements and a sensitive, outward facing development which seeks to mirror the character along Bromham Road whilst ensuring efficient use of land at a modest density. Landscaping around the boundaries of the site form key aspects of the design with a space for family and play. The public right of way along the western edge will be retained and improved. A range of housing sizes and types are proposed including mews and smaller homes.
Where there is a need to increase capacity in order to accommodate residents for our proposed development, we will make financial contributions to facilitate additional capacity. The need for and quantum of such contributions will be ascertained along with the statutory consultees involved in the application process. If it is deemed there is not sufficient capacity in local schools, a financial contribution will be paid to the Council to ensure that sufficient school places are made available, for example through the funding of new classrooms.
There will be benefits to local businesses from the additional spend that the development will generate. It is estimated the development would support the employment of 139 people (Source: HBF). Bedford Borough Council will also benefit in relation to approximately £80,000 per year in Council Tax payments generated as a direct result of the scheme.
The development may generate a need for improved or new infrastructure in the wider area for all to enjoy. There will also be the additional spending power from new residents which will be spent in the locality which will in-turn contribute towards the future viability of these services.
We're in the process of drafting an outline planning application for the proposed housing development. This application seeks approval for the principle of development. Specific details, like house designs and landscaping, will be addressed in a subsequent 'Reserved Matters' application.
Your feedback from this public consultation is vital and will shape our proposals. We'll compile a summary of your comments in a Statement of Community Involvement, which will be included in our application to the Council.
The Council will then review the submitted plans and evidence before making a decision.
You can let us know your thoughts via any of the options below. The deadline for comments is 31st May 2025.
Biddenham Consultation, Hollins Strategic Land, Suite 3 Victoria Court,
Bexton Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 0PF
consultation@hsland.co.uk
Use ‘Biddenham Consultation’ in the subject line.
