Living Space Receives the Green Light for 57 Affordable Homes in Bedfordshire

Living Space Housing has received planning approval from Central Bedfordshire Council for 57 eco-efficient affordable homes on a 1.8 Ha (4.45 acre) site off Bedford Road, located under a mile from Houghton Regis town centre. All the homes will be delivered to housing provider Stonewater to help meet local demand for high-quality affordable rent and shared ownership homes.

Designed by Bristol-based Pad Design Ltd, Living Space’s approved plan features a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes, to suit single households and families of up to six people. All homes will be installed with air source heat pumps. The site lies within the Houghton Regis North Strategic Allocation and is part of a major urban extension. Situated in a highly sustainable location, well served by public transport and town centre amenities, Living Space’s scheme design responds to two adjacent sites where development activity is already underway. 

Paul Breen, Managing Director of Living Space Housing said: “We are delighted that our plans for this quality development have been given the green light by Central Bedfordshire Council. We can now make preparations to break ground and commence construction in the coming weeks.

“With such easy access to the M1, the enviable transport links and employment opportunities around Dunstable and Luton make the communities of Houghton Regis and Bidwell ideal for expansion. For the benefit of everyone in the locality, an array of new facilities and amenities will be delivered alongside the eco-efficient modern homes. By working with our local supply chain and Stonewater to construct these 57 purpose-designed affordable properties, we will be helping to ensure Houghton Regis’ urban extension caters for all.”

Living Space lodged the plans for the Bedford Road (B5120) scheme during summer 2021. The approved design will contribute to and enhance the architectural character of the area. All of the homes have been designed to National Design Space Standards. The development layout plan includes landscaping and ecological enhancements, including an attenuation pond, new planting, and landscaped Public Open Space.

Chris Montague, Director of Development (East and North) for Stonewater said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Living Space again, to bring this important development to life and enhance the provision of varying types of affordable housing in Bedfordshire.

“Across all our new developments we’re looking for ways to cut carbon emissions to support our sustainability commitments, but also to ensure we’re providing energy efficient, comfortable homes that are affordable for our customers. By installing air source heat pumps, all future residents will be able to significantly reduce their carbon footprint, while also reducing their household energy costs.

“Whilst working towards our vision of giving everyone the opportunity to have a place that they can call home, as with all our new developments, we’ll also be looking to enhance the public realm and convey a distinctive narrative of place.”

The Bedford Road site development design will be tenure-blind, with local materials utilised to replicate nearby traditional dwellings. The 57 detached, semi-detached, and terraced homes will be constructed in red and orange brick with occasional white render to the top floor. Dual aspect ‘corner turning’ designs will be constructed at key locations within the scheme to achieve continual building lines. 128 parking spaces will be provided for both the future residents and for visitors.