Improving Leighton-Linslade town centre
We are committed to enhancing Leighton Buzzard’s distinct market town character and benefiting Leighton-Linslade’s social, economic and environmental sustainability.
A development brief for Land South of High Street was adopted in 2012.
In 2023, we looked again at potential plans for the area having been advised it could be up to 5 years post-COVID-19 before the market recovers sufficiently to have the confidence to invest in this site.
As part of this, we consulted on proposals for opportunities on land south of the high street, land which we own in 2023.
We have been engaging and listening with ward members, the town council and community groups to understand their aspirations. We have also carried out financial appraisals and assessed the market to identify what is potentially viable for the site that will complement the thriving High Street.
Car parking studies have shown the Duncombe Drive car park is under used and there is plenty of parking elsewhere in the town, so consideration can be given to releasing some of the car park space to free up land for community or cultural use.
The consultation included the Westlands Care Home and Day Centre site because we are building Marigold House, a £13 million modern energy-efficient replacement facility.