Learn about our latest plans for a proposed development in Arlesey, Bedfordshire
Reserved matters planning permission has been granted for a development of up to 71 new homes off High Street, Arlesey next to Rose Cottages.
In order to get to this position, we carried out an online public consultation which ran from Monday 23rd October until midnight on Wednesday 1st November 2023. All feedback was considered and was submitted as part of our planning application to Central Bedfordshire Council.
The site plan has been thoughtfully planned within existing, mature hedges giving an attractive green perimeter to the development. The plans also include two public open spaces and a play area.
We are currently determining if we will be proceeding with this development.
If you have any questions about our plans you can email arlesey@taylorwimpey-pr.co.uk.
About the development
Street scenes
A range of ornamental street trees will be planted, including cherry, rowan and maple varieties. Tree species will be decorative, adding seasonal interest and height throughout the scheme.
The front gardens will include shrubs and herbaceous planting to help soften the built form, providing year round colour and texture. Species will be chosen to reflect the soil types and will be low maintenance. Species may include skimmia, lavender and spindle.
Where space allows, front gardens will include hedgerow planting to separate the homes from the wider public realm. The proposed landscape scheme will also include climbing species, particularly where walls face onto the public realm.
The image shows how the planting could look.
Homes Proposed
Arlesey is allocated for residential development in the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan 2015-2035. Our proposals meet the objectives that the plan sets out.
Our proposals currently include:
- 71 high-quality new homes
- 25% affordable housing, which will be split between affordable rent and shared ownership
- A mix of apartments, terraced, semi-detached and detached properties
- A new area of public open space
- A sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) to manage rainwater through attenuation areas and swales
About our proposals
Amenities & facilities
We want to deliver new homes and facilities that positively integrate with and enhance the local community. Through our planning obligations, we will be providing over £1 million in financial contributions. These contributions will go towards primary and secondary education, a local skate park and play areas, and healthcare.
Open space
A swale will be located within the northern open space, helping to reduce the potential for flooding. There will also be an attenuation basin to the east. Marginal and aquatic planting will enhance the ecological value and create habitats for wildlife.
Native trees will be planted around the swale and site boundary, enhancing the existing hedgerow along the northern boundary. Native species including silver birch, cherry and beech will reflect the existing species on site and within the surrounding landscape.
Pockets of wildflower grassland and bulb planting will enhance the biodiversity of the site and provide additional colour to the open space. Wildflower areas will be separated by grassland to ensure the open space is a usable space for the local residents, including the addition of benches.
The photo shows how the open space could look.
Community benefits
History of the site
History of the site
The proposed development was previously used for agricultural purposes and covers an area of approximately 5.1 acres.
Previous Consultations and Feedback
We carried out a pre-application engagement programme at the outline stage. A number of stakeholders were consulted, including Arlesey Town Council and the Neighbourhood Plan Group, Arlesey ward members and the local community. We have also carried out an online public consultation in 2023.
All feedback received during the consultations was considered and helped to shape the proposed development.
Previous Planning Applications
Taylor Wimpey has been promoting the site since 2017. Outline planning permission was granted in April 2021 and reserved matters planning permission was granted in March 2025 by Central Bedfordshire Council.
Connectivity
Tree planting will enhance connectivity by helping people to navigate the road network. This will be achieved through focal points within the site, including feature tree species where space allows.
Habitat connectivity can be achieved with native tree and shrub planting which will enhance the existing green infrastructure and will provide ecological connectivity throughout the site and into the wider landscape.
The image shows how the trees could look.
Drainage
Surface water will be attenuated on site in the form of a dry basin. The foul drainage will connect to the existing foul water sewer in Rose Cottages.
Both the surface and foul water systems will be adopted and maintained by the local water authority.
Ecology
Highways
Our approach
- April 2021 - Outline planning consent granted
- February 2022 – Online public consultation
- October 2023 - Further online public consultation
- Autumn 2023 - Anticipated reserved matters submission
- March 2025 - Reserved matters planning permission granted
Energy efficiency measures will be included in the construction specification of every home at Arlesey to ensure a sustainable development is created. Community Community We believe it’s our responsibility to support our communities, so that people are proud to call them home. That’s why we regularly donate time and money to local causes and are passionate about investing in the areas we build. In 2020 we contributed £287 million to local communities via our planning obligations to provide local infrastructure around the country, including affordable homes, public transport and education facilities.
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