News in brief

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It seems an eternity since the Borough held consultation exercises to ascertain what the feeling was about redeveloping the town centre. Frankly, there are areas that need taking down completely and rebuilt, if Bedford is to maintain, let alone develop, any form of competition with the much more spacious Milton Keynes.

In today's blog, Frank Branston reports that a decisive step forward was taken at yesterday's planning committee meeting.

"In the end, support was unanimous. The Town Centre West development (which includes the bus station) received outline planning permission on Monday night.

Work can now start on detailed design and a new town centre exhibition planned for April will show the latest thinking.

Although several members spoke up for the Pilgrim’s Progress, in the end they all recognised the importance of the development and the fact that rejection of the application would be a disaster for Bedford."