Bedford Developments get the green light

25th Oct 2007

With the Cultural Quarter acting as the catalyst, the final pieces of the town centre jigsaw are now emerging as planning permission has been granted for a number of key development sites over the last month.

Bedford’s town centre west, including the bus station's 20 acre, £200 million development will include the following major highlights

•Shopping (including a department store; a food store; 40 retail units)
•Leisure (including 5/6 restaurants and a cinema complex)
•Hotel (including up to 130 rooms)
•Homes (up to 330 units)
•Car Park (up to 1,100 spaces)
•New revitalised Bus Station

Riverside Square will include a grand public square, a pedestrian/cyclist bridge providing access to St Mary’s Gardens, 149 apartments located within a high quality signature building and a quality destination for drinking, eating and retail opportunities.

Church Lane Neighbourhood Centre's approved scheme includes a new food store, new and refurbished retail space, 71 new apartments, a new community centre and a much needed medical centre.

After 40 years of under use, the two giant cranes dominating the Bedford skyline are a symbol of the town’s aspirations for a bright new future. This truly exciting development of the Cultural Quarter, known as Castle Quay, will accentuate the cultural and historical features of the town centre by showcasing the refurbished Museum, Art Gallery and Bedford Gallery alongside an open air archaeology park, “Castle Bailey Gardens”, and attracting independent, niché shops, cafes and restaurants. The scheme is due for completion in Autumn 2008.

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