Houghton Conquest
The following sites have been selected for allocation in Houghton Conquest:| New Policy Reference | Issues and Options Policy Reference | Site Address | Summary of Proposal |
| MA3 | H278 | Land South of Wixams | Mixed-use development of approximately 1000 dwellings, a minimum of 5 hectares of employment land, and other uses identified in a Masterplan |
| HA6 | N/A | Land at Former Hostel Site | Residential development of 70 dwellings (this site has been granted planning permission) |
| EA8 | E16 | Land at Quest Pit, Ampthill Road (NIRAH) | Development of the National Institute for Research into Aquatic Habitats (NIRAH) project which provides a tropical biotope, a water adventure park, spa, 3 hotels, a conference and exhibition centre, a 50 seat cinema, ancillary retail and a car parking and shuttle bus service (this site has been granted planning permission) |
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Please see below for full policy text for Houghton Conquest.
Houghton Conquest
WixamsWixams is a new settlement being built on the former Elstow Storage Depot, which straddles the boundary of Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough. Planning permission has been granted for about 4,500 homes in total. By arrangement between the two authorities, half of the homes count towards Central Bedfordshire’s housing requirements in the Northern Marston Vale and half count towards Bedford Borough’s requirements. The new settlement will include the creation of a local centre with a range of shopping and other community facilities and when complete, will be an important local retail centre within the hierarchy for the district.
Due to the number of homes and level of facilities expected in Wixams within the next 20 years, this settlement is designated a Major Service Centre. The delivery of the homes and facilities will take time to be built out. It is considered unlikely that additional large-scale development over and above that presently permitted could be delivered before 2021. Beyond 2021, however, the 970 or so dwellings required in the Northern Marston Vale will be accommodated by bringing forward the expansion areas as identified in the Development Brief for a mix of uses. Further expansion at Wixams will be expected to bring forward provision and contributions towards local community infrastructure through the planning application process, as agreed with service providers and in accordance with the Planning Obligations Strategy.
Policy MA3 - Land South of Wixams
Site Reference: H278
Site Area: 59.45 ha
Land south of Wixams, as identified in the adopted Planning and Development Brief as an expansion area and as now identified on the Proposals Map, is allocated for mixed use development comprising around 1000 dwellings, a minimum of 5ha of employment land and other uses as identified through the Master Plan. Work on developing the Country Park will be expected to be commenced during the development of this site.
In addition to general policy requirements in the Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD and appropriate contributions to infrastructure provision in the Planning Obligations SPD, development of this site must be consistent with the adopted Planning and Development Brief and Master Plan for the core area; and will be subject to the following:
In addition to general policy requirements in the Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD and appropriate contributions to infrastructure provision in the Planning Obligations SPD, development of this site must be consistent with the adopted Planning and Development Brief and Master Plan for the core area; and will be subject to the following:
- Production of a Master Plan to guide the mixed use development;
- Provision of strategic landscaping and publicly accessible open space to the south of the allocated site in order to put in place a long-term southern boundary to Wixams and maintain separation from the village of Houghton Conquest;
- Preparation of a Transport Assessment to identify the impact of the development on the local highway network;
- Provision of sufficient capacity within the public foul sewer system and at the wastewater treatment works to meet the needs of the development; and
- The provision of a suitable buffer zone to protect significant water and wastewater infrastructure from inappropriate development.
Policy HA6 - Land at Former Hostel Site, Houghton Conquest
Site Reference: N/A
Site Area: 4.4 ha
Land at the Former Hostel Site, Houghton Conquest, as identified on the Proposals Map, is allocated for a residential development for 70 dwellings in accordance with its approved planning permission.
Policy EA8 - Land at Quest Pit, Ampthill Road, Houghton Conquest
Site Reference: E16
Site Area: 58.0 ha
Land at Quest Pit, Ampthill Road, Houghton Conquest has been granted planning permission for the National Institute for Research into Aquatic Habitats (NIRAH) Project. Uses specified in the planning permission include a tropical biotope, a Water Adventure Park, Spa, three hotels, a conference and exhibition centre a 50-seat cinema, and associated ancillary retail, food and drink and a Science Research Park. Others include dedicated car parking and a shuttle bus service.
This site is allocated and identified on the Proposals Map to specifically deliver the package contained in the planning permission given to the NIRAH Project. However, given that it is a ‘specialist’ use and the delivery timescale is uncertain at this stage, this provision is not counted towards the overall employment figure. Therefore the development of this site is restricted to the permission granted and the site may not be developed for other uses.
This site is allocated and identified on the Proposals Map to specifically deliver the package contained in the planning permission given to the NIRAH Project. However, given that it is a ‘specialist’ use and the delivery timescale is uncertain at this stage, this provision is not counted towards the overall employment figure. Therefore the development of this site is restricted to the permission granted and the site may not be developed for other uses.
