Town council objects, but will 150 homes be approved for Leighton Buzzard brownfield site?

A project for up to 150 homes on a '˜brownfield' site in Leighton Buzzard is being backed for approval by Central Bedfordshire planners.
Central Bedfordshire Council OfficesCentral Bedfordshire Council Offices
Central Bedfordshire Council Offices

Edwards Warehousing Limited’s scheme includes parking and open space on land at Spinney Park and Spinney Pool in Billington Road.

The site is on the edge of, but within, a designated main employment area, and consists of two parts.

The six-and-a-half-acre Spinney Pool site is currently vacant, having been cleared of buildings.

The two-and-a-half-acre Spinney Park site is under class B8 business use, with two buildings on the site, and part of the area used for parking lorries.

Public footpaths 44 and 16 Leighton Buzzard run between the two sites. Access to the development would be provided from a central point in the eastern boundary of the site on to Billington Road, according to a report to the council’s development management committee.

The indicative site layout plans show a mix of detached and semi-detached houses with private gardens on the Spinney Park site, says the report.

The proposal for Spinney Pool is for a higher density development with four blocks of flats of five or six storeys, surrounded by parking, open space and a play area.

A further three detached houses are shown on the eastern edge of the site, it adds.

“The proposal would deliver benefits in terms of strengthening the council’s housing land supply buffer on a brownfield, windfall site.

“It’s in a highly sustainable location, providing environmental benefits by removing a 24/7 uncontrolled noisy use in close proximity to residential properties.

“It will also provide physical works and financial contributions towards the council’s aspiration to upgrade footways and cycleways on Billington Road.

“The impact of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area is considered to be positive and the proposal is acceptable in terms of highway safety and neighbouring amenity,” says the report to councillors.

Leighton Linslade Town Council objects to the outline plans because they are contrary to policy, as the land in question was designated for employment use.

The redevelopment project is due to be considered by Central Bedfordshire councillors on Wednesday. (Oct 10)