News in brief

Castle Lane improvements ....

Good news! A £20 million regeneration scheme to create a vibrant cultural quarter in Bedford town centre has been given the green light by planners.

London-based Complex Development Projects (CDP) was selected to carry out plans at Castle Lane and will work in partnership with Bedford Borough Council creating 104 apartments, three restaurants and eight retail units.

The project will also include an outdoor archaeological park revealing and showcasing parts of Bedford Castle and a lime kiln display vault. Work is expected to start on the site, which is currently used as a council-run car park, in Spring 2007 and will last approximately 18 months.

The first off-plan release of apartments in the scheme will take place through Compass New Homes later this year.

David Freer, a director of CDP, said: “We are pleased that the scheme has been granted planning consent. This is a major scheme for the town which will bring economic vitality as well as contemporary urban living.

“The site has been neglected for 40 years and we are looking forward to creating something very special for Bedford and the region.”

Castle Lane's historic origins will become a focal point for the development which will improve links to the Castle Mound as well as Bedford Museum and Art Gallery at the same time as introducing a landmark contemporary terrace.

Bedford Mayor Frank Branston said: “The Castle Lane area is a major site of historical importance in the town and an area ripe for regeneration and I'm pleased it will now get some attention.

“With planning approval obtained we can now see a scheme develop that will stay true to the town's archaeological past while sympathetically mixing in contemporary retail and restaurant and living units.

“This is the first of three high profile plans to redevelop the town centre to receive planning approval and I look forward to work taking place on what will be a major asset for the town when completed.”

Shaun Field, Chief Executive of Bedford Borough Council, added: “The designs now approved will bring a quality development to the Castle Lane site.

“The scheme has the potential to stimulate the economic regeneration and recovery of the area, including the High Street, create job opportunities, significantly improve the environment and add to the cultural assets that already exist in the area.”