Bedford Borough Council has decided that a proposed residential development of up to 400 homes on land at Gibraltar Corner, Kempston, will not require a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) at this stage.
In a screening opinion issued on Friday (23 January), the council concluded that the scale and nature of the proposal mean its environmental effects are “unlikely to be significant” and could instead be addressed through the normal planning application process.
The decision relates only to EIA requirements and does not grant planning permission.
The council also notes it retains the right to request an Environmental Statement later if necessary.
The planning proposal is for a residential development of approximately 400 dwellings on agricultural land divided into two parcels on either side of Home Road, within Kempston Rural parish.
Council officers confirmed the project falls under Schedule 2 of the EIA Regulations as an “urban development project” exceeding both 150 dwellings and the five-hectare site threshold.
However, the decision notice said Schedule 2 schemes only require an EIA if they are likely to cause significant environmental effects.
Following the assessment, officers concluded the impacts would be of “only local significance.”
Over a dozen neighbour comments were received, raising concerns about the site’s development, although the council removed these from its planning portal.
The council said public notification is not required for EIA screening requests.
A full planning application for the site has yet to be submitted.
Update: This article was updated on 27 January 2026 at 09:30 to correct the original headline, which suggested planning permission had been granted. We apologise for any confusion caused by this oversight.
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
