Built on former farmland, we will be working hard to maintain and enhance the topography of the site, protecting any wildlife habitats in place and adding to existing waterways, trees and hedgerows.
Where public rights of way are in place we will also look to improve routes, creating active travel and leisure opportunities for walkers and cyclists.
Underpinning it all will be the latest smart technologies, from energy generation through to resident support tools.
We’re also considering how community facilities and public artwork can be introduced into the park and would welcome views on this.
87 acres, almost half of the whole scheme area.
The development is located at Thickthorn Farm, just north of Houghton Conquest and to the south of the Wixams Park development. The site is bordered by the B530/Ampthill Road to the west and by Bedford Road to the south. It does not reach to the A6 in the east.
The country park is located at the south of the masterplan and will provide a natural buffer to Houghton Park. Landscaped ‘green corridors’ will link the whole scheme together and provide additional buffers at key locations.
The main site access will be via a new entry on the A60. There will also be road connections between Wixam Park and the site. Shared foot and cycle paths will offer opportunities for active travel. Existing public rights of way on the site will be maintained.
We believe that it is important to deliver key infrastructure before we start on housing. That includes the country park as we feel that this is an essential character element for the scheme and will provide a natural asset that people can enjoy as soon as possible.
Work will begin on the park in January 2023, with completion expected in summer 2024.
It will be open to both residents and visitors.
During construction works we will put in place several protective measures to ensure that the disruption to existing wildlife will be minimal, for example including newt grills and fencing to keep them away from the site. We also employ a consultant ecologist to ensure the safety of local flora and fauna.
The site has been an arable farm for many years and archaeological explorations have found evidence of Roman / Iron Age Farmsteads within the site. These will be protected in situ. We will enhance existing waterways and landscape assets so that they feel part of the scheme. This includes key trees and hedgerows that we will add to.
Water management will be fully integrated into every part of the landscape masterplan, creating multi-functional green infrastructure across the site. It will include the enhancement of existing waterways and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), as well as the addition of new wet and dry attenuation ponds and swales, permeable paving and run-off areas.
As we are only in the initial stages of planning it is too early to provide details on this. We are holding early conversations with local stakeholders to see how our development can support and enhance the work already taking place, such as the delivery of the Forest of Marston Vale’s strategic plan.
Present Made is in discussions with potential partners to manage the site, either independently or alongside us.
The countryside park is a public space and will offer opportunities for the community to use it for leisure, sports, and relaxation. This presents the opportunity for formal activities and events.
As part of the consultation and design process we will be looking at ways to make the park accessible for activities for the school and local community groups.
Outdoor play and fitness equipment will be included within the development, such as play parks and sports pitches, as well as a variety of outdoor spaces for socialising and interaction.
This makes up part of the management and maintenance strategy for the countryside park that will be included within the planning submission.
This will be a decision for the long-term management strategy for the countryside part once it is completed.
The consultation website will provide all the latest information on the development as it progresses.
650 homes will be delivered on the site, ranging from two-to-four bedrooms.
Subject to planning approvals, we are working to the following timescales:
– Phase 1 (January 2023 – Summer 2024): Country park and key infrastructure
– Phase 2 (January 2024 – Summer 2024): Gateway residential – this will consist of
110 residential units
– Phase 3 (Summer 2024 – Spring 2026): Core residential and final community
facilities – this will be the largest and final phase of residential, with 540 units being delivered.
Central Bedfordshire Council’s most recent Strategic Housing Market Assessment found that an average of 1,475 new homes are required each year (2011- 2031) to meet forecast demand.
Housing has been allocated for this specific site within previous planning strategies, including the Central Bedfordshire Council Local Plan 2035 (historically, this has been known as HAS27 – South Wixams Extension).
In addition, we have carried out significant research into local demographics and identified a clear housing need that caters for different generations. This is influencing the design of the homes and the balance of the different house types.
We use a mix of traditional techniques and Modern Methods of Construction to deliver our schemes. One of the advantages of this approach is that some of the construction work takes place offsite. This results in safer construction, less waste, and it reduces site deliveries, lowering the impact of construction traffic, dust and local air pollution.
We will be using offsite manufacturing techniques to create precision engineered homes. By doing as much of this work offsite as possible, we can reduce the impact on the local community in terms of traffic, noise and construction waste, with homes delivered in a faster and more efficient way.
Present Made aim to reduce carbon emissions in the delivery and occupation of our homes. We work closely with our contractors to deliver efficient homes that require less energy to heat, reducing carbon footprint throughout the occupation of the home and reducing energy bills for the occupier.
This can be achieved by having energy efficient buildings (e.g., well insulated, with high performing glazing and ventilation) and by using on-site and/or offsite renewable energy sources.
We believe that it is important to deliver key infrastructure before we start on housing. That includes the country park as we feel that this is an essential character element for the scheme and will provide a natural asset that people can enjoy as soon as possible.
Depending on planning approvals, we are hoping to have the first homes for occupation in 2024.
Please email us at hello@millviewconsultation.com.
Our scheme is designed in accordance with Secured by Design standards. Secured by Design is a police initiative that aims to improve the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings, providing safe places to live, work, and visit.
Professional management is fundamental to the success of Present Made of Mill View. As a build-to-rent scheme, this helps us to ensure that homes, amenity and the public realm are well maintained. Onsite management teams are available 24-hours, and residents will have access to a Present Made app which provides a portal to book services, amenities and classes and communicate with neighbours to bring together the community.