Co-Living, Bedford

Opportunity

• The adopted local plan identifies the Site as a Strategic Housing Development site – along with many of the adjacent land/sites on the south side of the river in the town centre.

•The Site has a former employment use, which is protected in the Local Plan. However, the ‘nil use’ status of the site will lessen the impact of this policy.

• The Council will look to re-provide some employment use as part of a residential-led mixed use in a more viable and market led demand format.

• Bedford town centre is an appropriate location for tall buildings, higher density, low-car development

• Buildings up to approximately 10+-storeys will be supported. The tallest elements should address the

Kingsway Street (north) or the western edge of the site – i.e. away from the low-rise (2-storey) residential properties to the west.

• Affordable Housing policy sets a target of 30% affordable homes, with a mix of 34% one-beds and 66% two beds, 80% social rented and 20% shared ownership.

• Bedford has significant need for care and supported housing for the elderly.

• Whilst Co-living can be advanced as an acceptable form of private and affordable housing in London

and some other major conurbations it is not a familiar form of housing for Bedford, so there are no local precedent or policy guidance in adopted or emerging policy.