Bedford Council has given St Modwen the go-ahead for a £150m redevelopment scheme in Bedford town centre.
Plans for the mixed-use scheme include:
· a major department store and food/retail outlet,
· a multiplex cinema and leisure complex,
· 200,000 sq ft of additional retail and leisure accommodation,
· residential units,
· a new bus station and a 1,200 space multi-storey car park.
Mayor of Bedford, Frank Branston, said: “This is a great step forward for Bedford.
“This development will really take the town forward, improving facilities for local people and attracting visitors.
“We will now be working with St Modwen to acquire all the land areas they will need and to produce a viable planning application early in the summer.”
St Modwen is preparing a planning application for submission.
Anthony Glossop, chairman of St Modwen, said: “The signing of the development agreement is a significant milestone bringing forward this exciting scheme as it allows us to commit major resources into the project.
“We hope to have obtained planning consent by the end of the year.”
St Modwen was selected in 2004 as the preferred development partner for the 14-acre site on the west side of the town.
References: EGi News 20/01/06
