New Plans Submitted for Food Store Scheme in Houghton Regis!

New Plans Submitted for Food Store Scheme in Houghton Regis!

31 August 2010

Plans have been submitted to transform a rundown site in the centre of Houghton Regis in Bedfordshire with a new £12 million food store development.

The site earmarked for the new Morrisons store is between Queen Street and High Street in Houghton Regis - if the ambitious plans are approved by councillors around 290 new jobs will be created in the town.

The plans are being brought forward by the award winning Yorkshire based retail developer Dransfield Properties Ltd, the company has submitted its proposals to Central Bedfordshire Council.

Architects working on the development have designed a bespoke scheme specifically for Houghton Regis to reflect the local character. The new store will cater for residents who are currently travelling out of the area for their main food shopping.

The plans will deliver:

·         A 51,122 sq ft Morrison’s food store

·         278 space car park

·         A new traffic civilisation scheme

·         Pedestrian  links with the existing shops and services

·         An attractive landscaping scheme

The plans were first unveiled earlier this year at a public consultation session held at the town council offices – 91 per cent of people who attended backed the new food store for Houghton Regis and welcomed the development of the High Street site.

After close consultation with local council members, residents and businesses a number of changes to the original scheme have now being introduced.

The location of the store has now been moved so the car park is closer to the town centre and a comprehensive traffic civilisation scheme has also been introduced as a key part of the High Street development.

Traffic consultants have spent the last four months working on the new civilisation scheme looking at the traffic flows on the High Street. Key changes include:

—  A reduction in the speed limit to 20mph

—  Improved pedestrian links with Bedford Square

—  Wider footways on the north side of High Street

—  Block paving along the frontage with High Street and around the Church

—  The realignment of High Street to provide bus lay-bys

Mark Dransfield, Managing Director of Dransfield Properties Ltd, said: “We have listened through the consultation process to the local authority and the wider community as well as those people living closest to the site. There is clearly a great deal of support for the development in Houghton Regis.

“We have taken a comprehensive look at all the traffic issues and our design team has also looked closely at the existing buildings in the town. We are now bringing forward a scheme which will complement and enhance the High Street as well as answering the need for a good quality food store.”

The plans have been submitted to Central Bedfordshire Council.  For further information about Dransfield Properties visit the company’s website at www.dransfield.co.uk

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: pr@dransfield.co.uk