Progress So Far
March 2002: The Council, in conjunction with Stagecoach, formally sought expressions of interest from prospective developers
January 2004: The Council appointed St Modwen Developments Ltd as the preferred development partner to take forward this scheme of redevelopment
March 2004: Exclusivity Agreement signed between the parties
May 2004: Preliminary proposals shown and consulted on at the third town centre exhibition
February 2005: Exhibition held by St. Modwen in respect of the emerging proposals. There was a good level of support for the provision of a food store, new department store, additional retail units, restaurants and a cinema
February - October 2005: Indicative scheme designs were formulated and further financial and operational viability testing is took place
October 2005: Development Agreement signed between the Council and St Modwens
May 2006: Public Consultation Exhibition held detailing the final development proposals
January 2007: Submitted the outline planning application of this £180 million scheme
September 2007: The Planning Committee approved the outline planning application on 24 September
It is expected that site assembly will commence in 2008 with construction works beginning in 2010 until 2013
Proposed Uses
The scheme proposals envisage the following mix of uses within an overall development area of around 7.5 hectares (18.5 acres):
Retail - (department store; a food store; 47 retail units)
Leisure - (5/6 restaurants/bars; cinema; other facilities)
Hotel
Residential - up to 330 units
Car Park - up to 950 spaces
New Bus Station
The Bus Station area is a key gateway into the town centre and in its current neglected state, creates a negative image of Bedford. The key aims of the proposed scheme are not only to rejuvenate the area but to bring an attractive extension to the shopping area which allows for a more wide ranging level of retail and leisure uses, as well as providing a new modern bus station and residential units to create a balanced community for the benefit of the town centre as well as acting as a catalyst for town centre regeneration.
