A major Bedford housing development must be redesigned after a large drainage culvert was discovered beneath the former Hazlewood Foods site on Dallas Road, Kempston.
In a letter to Bedford Borough Council dated 24 October 2025, the developers said the Anglian Water culvert cannot have buildings over it or within three metres of it. This affects Blocks A, E and F of the approved 341-home scheme.
Diverting the culvert was ruled out due to “exorbitant costs”.
The developer has already applied to rotate Block E. The new application focuses on Block A, where the southern wing and part of the northern wing would be removed because they sit over the culvert.
The 13 apartments lost would be replaced by adding extra storeys to the eastern wing next to the railway line.
Parking would stay at the approved level, and a new landscaped area would replace part of the removed building. The revised plans also change the layout of stairwells, escape routes and access to undercroft parking.
A daylight and sunlight study shows 30 out of 35 assessed rooms meet daylight targets in the new design, compared with 34 out of 35 under the approved plans.
The letter said all but one unit tested meets sunlight standards.
The developer says no new Section 106 agreement is needed because the existing one already allows for variations. The approach for Block F “is still being considered”.
More information can be found on the council’s planning portal, reference 25/02212/M73.
The overall consultation expiry date is Thursday, 11 December 2025.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
