Town expansion options
Please note: this page is part of our Draft Local Plan and has been superseded by our Local Plan
North of Luton
(Around 4,000 homes and 20ha of employment land)
This option looks to expand Luton to the north. This urban extension would lie to the north edge of Luton, between the M1 to the west and the A6 to the east. The villages of Lower Sundon, Upper Sundon and Streatley lie north of the site.
The proposal could include the following services and amenities: shops; cafes/restaurants; community facilities; leisure facilities; drinking establishments; Health and Care Hub; open green space; preschool/nursery/early years facilities; enlarging existing schools and providing new schools as required.
Road and public transport improvements (including a new M1/A6 link road) and the opportunity to link with the Busway to improve connections with Leagrave station and Luton town centre are included.
The future M1-A6 link road is critical for this development.
Employment opportunities will be provided through 20 hectares of employment land with good access to the M1 and suitable for a mix of employment uses, as well as through the provision of infrastructure, including schools, shops and healthcare facilities.
West of Luton
(Around 2000 homes)
The proposal is to expand Luton to the west of the M1 and to the western edge of Luton. The village of Caddington lies to the west of the site and Woodside and Slip End villages lie to the south. It would be appropriately separated from these existing villages, as well as from the Caddington Woods development, to prevent coalescence of settlements.
The proposal could include the following services and amenities: shops; cafes/restaurants; community facilities; leisure facilities; drinking establishments; Health and Social Care Hub; open green space; preschool/nursery/early years facilities; enlarging existing schools and providing new schools as required.
Road and public transport improvements and the opportunity to link with the Busway to improve connections with Leagrave station and Luton town centre are included.
East of Arlesey
(Around 2,000 new homes and 3ha of employment land)
This growth location option is situated between Arlesey in the east and the A507 road and Fairfield in the west. The site borders Arlesey Cross in the north and extends south of Arlesey beyond the Blue Lagoon. The layout of Arlesey Cross will be taken into consideration.
The proposal includes a country park that will provide a permanent separation between Arlesey and Fairfield, and which will also benefit biodiversity and give access to leisure and recreation facilities. The proposal also includes enhancements to the Blue Lagoon and Green Lagoon.
The proposal could include the following services and amenities: shops; cafes/restaurants; community facilities; leisure facilities; drinking establishments; a Health and Social Care Hub; a care home, extra care facilities and retirement village units; preschool/nursery/early years facilities; enlarging existing schools and providing a new secondary school as required.
The proposal also includes the north/south relief road, as this will be important for supporting the new development, as well as public transport links to Arlesey train station (which is close by, as is Letchworth train station).
Wixams southern extension
(Around 500 new homes)
This is a southern extension to the Wixams development in Central Bedfordshire. The proposal includes green open space within the development, and a country park.
This growth location option is situated north of Houghton Conquest and south of the existing Wixams housing. The site is bordered by the B530/Ampthill Road to the west, and by Bedford Road to the south. It does not reach to the A6 in the east.
The proposal includes road improvements; in particular the development will be accessed to/from the B530 road and potential links through the Wixams development to the A6.