Arlesey homes bid will grow town by 43%

A scheme for more than 900 homes, a care home, hotel and primary school at Chase Farm off High Street in the town has been submitted to Central Bedfordshire Council this month.

If granted, the scheme is almost half again the number of properties already in the town.

And they come on top of the approval on Wednesday of two further planning applications, for 40 houses on land west of High Street and 58 homes on White Horse Field. The 2011 census put the number of homes in Arlesey at 2,344.

The proposal, by Telereal Trillium, is part of the Arlesey Cross scheme, first put forward as part of the Arlesey Masterplan in 2014.

The application for the site, known as Arlesey East, is for up to 950 homes and associated infrastructure, open space and facilities. According to developers the plans offer an exciting addition to Arlesey, including a brand new local centre for the town – which will provide space for a range of shops, a dental and GP surgery, pharmacy alongside a new community facility for new and existing residents. The scheme seeks to create a new central gathering space for the town to serve new and existing residents.

The application also includes a new two form entry lower school at the heart of the proposals. In addition new sports pitches will be provided alongside new open space and countryside parkland around the edges of the proposals.

The proposals will deliver a range of housing, from private to affordable alongside an Extra Care facility and bungalows for older residents, located close to the local centre and associated services.

Eric Williamson, of Telereal Trillium, said:“This planning application is a big step forward for the scheme. It sets out how this new community can be delivered over the next ten years and ensures that important community facilities are brought forward at the same time as much-needed new homes. It is the culmination of over five years of work through the Local Plan, the creation of a Development Brief and finally this Outline Planning Application.”

Last year Central Bedfordshire Council approved plans for a relief road connecting High Street to the A507 despite strong objection from the town council. The road will provide access for development on land east of the High Street.

The new planning applications are available to view at Central Bedfordshire Council offices as well as online.

More information can be found at www.arleseyeast.co.uk