Developers have submitted fresh plans for up to 47 homes on land in Willington, despite a similar scheme being refused and later dismissed on appeal.
The outline application for land off Bedford Road proposes up to 47 new homes, including affordable housing, along with open space, landscaping and access from Balls Lane.
A previous proposal for up to 46 homes was refused by Bedford Borough Council in March 2020, with concerns including development in the countryside, harm to the village’s character and impact on nearby listed buildings.
An appeal against that decision was later dismissed by a planning inspector in 2021, who also found the scheme conflicted with the council’s spatial strategy and would harm the character of the area and the setting of heritage assets.
The new application has already attracted objections from residents, one of whom argued that unsold new homes in the village clearly show there “isn’t a demand for more houses in Willington”.
Another said the proposal is outside the village plan and “would completely ruin both the approach and the feel of [Willington] being a village”.
The applicant says the scheme would provide new homes, including affordable housing, and create a “well-contained extension” to the village.
More information can be found on the council’s planning portal, reference 26/00766/MAO.
The overall consultation expiry date is Friday, 29 May 2026.
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
