Flitwick Town Centre Redevelopment
Dates to come along and meet those behind the schemes are:
Thursday 8 Nov – 2pm to 8pm
Saturday 10 Nov – 10am –3pm
Friday 16 Nov – 10am – 5pm
Saturday 17 Nov – 10am – 3pm
Flitwick Town Centre Redevelopment
Consultation on plans for the redevelopment of Flitwick Town Centre closes on Friday 14 December so there’s plenty of time for local people to make their views known. Full proposals are available online: Flitwick Town Centre Redevelopment.
The Town Centre Redevelopment should provide Flitwick with:
- new heart to the town centre, including a new enlarged Tesco store and car park, and other new retail units
- new homes
- a large multi storey station car park
- a transport interchange for bus, taxi and car pick and set down in a Station Square
- a new foot and cycle bridge linking Steppingley Road to the High Street and giving lift access to the station platforms
- a new village hall
- improvements to the library
- new youth facilities
- relocation of the petrol filling station to Dunstable Rd
- improved pedestrian and cycle crossings and routes
There are a number of other improvements that could be included in the Town Centre scheme and the consultation is inviting views on which of these local people support. These include:
- new affordable housing
- enhancements to the High Street
- provision and maintenance of CCTV in the town centre
- a contribution towards improving educational facilities in the town (linked to the new housing)
- a contribution to existing health care facilities in the town (linked to the new housing)
- a contribution to off-site recreation and sporting facilities in the town
The proposals address local community safety issues by providing a mix of development within the new town centre, for example putting new homes above shops, and ensuring a high level of street level activity to provide natural surveillance of the new town centre, Station Square and the main proposed pedestrian routes. CCTV is also being proposed. We are keen to know if you feel we adequately addressed community safety issues.
Councillor Ken Matthews, Mid Beds District Council Planning Portfolio Holder, said:
“The current town centre lacks a focal point for the community, shoppers and businesses and is in need of redevelopment and substantial investment. Our development partnership will build on the town centre’s strengths by creating a comprehensive mixed-use development within this sustainable location and the potential to improve is enormous. This is a unique opportunity for Flitwick to expand on the existing town centre activities making the town a great place to live, work and shop".
The Flitwick Town Centre Redevelopment is being undertaken by Mid Beds district Council, Flitwick Town Council, Tesco, Cowlgrove, Bedfordshire County Council, Folview, Weather Break, Network Rail and First Capital Connect.
For further information on the town centre redevelopment and online consultation please follow this link:
New Flitwick Leisure Facility
Mid Beds District Council and Flitwick Town Council are also working together on a new multi-million pound leisure facility proposed for the centre of the town. This is needed because the current leisure centre is reaching the end of its anticipated life and is facing expensive refurbishment.
In response to local views the new facility will feature:
- an eight lane, 25 metre pool
- separate learner pool
- four court sports hall
- 100 station fitness room
- two multi-purpose activity rooms
- dance studio
- two squash courts
- crèche for up to 26 children
- coffee shop
- Health spa, sauna and steam room
It could also include:
- Four lane 10-pin bowling alley
- Soft play area
- Climbing wall
The Town Council have suggested that the facility be sited on their Millennium Park in the centre of Flitwick adjacent to the proposed new town centre – although the two schemes are independant of each other. About half of the current space will continue as green space and the skatepark will be moved as well the play area. It is also planned to provide a sensory garden in the area.
Roy Waterfield, Mid Beds Director of Community Services, said: “The current leisure centre building is now outdated and will come to the end of its useful life over the next few years. It is costly to run and maintain for our contractor, with those costs likely to rise and the swimming pool is too small. Demand for some of the facilities is now outstripping capacity.
“This new centre will respond to customer demand, offering residents more opportunities for a healthier lifestyle and provide them with a quality facility which will enable the provision of a improved service to be provided. It is currently pridicted that the centre will operate at no revenue cost to the Council and any profits will be reinvested into ensure that the facilities remain up to date with current leisure trends."
For further information on the leisure facility proposals and the online consultation please follow this link:
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