Flitwick Town Centre Consultation Report Online

PRESS RELEASE - 18 February 2008

Over 230 people responded to plans for a new look Flitwick Town Centre during consultation at the end of 2007.

Plans were unveiled by a partnership including Mid Beds District Council, Flitwick Town Council, Beds County Council, Tesco and Cowlgrove.  Residents were invited to give their views on the plans and to suggest changes.

Many people supported the proposals, recognizing that the town should be enhanced and that the station, in particular, needs improvement.  However some people were concerned about the scale of the development, and the impact of traffic.

Key findings from the consultation are support for:

  • a new foot and cycle bridge over the railway, a new multistory station car park and transport interchange at the railway station and improvements to pedestrian and cycle routes.
  • Improvements to youth facilities, the library and a new village hall.
  • Improvements to the High St. , (separate enhancement proposals will be developed for the area)
  •  Better CCTV and improvements to community safety.
  • More restaurants and cafes (not takeaways)
  • More traditional shops like greengrocers, butchers, bakeries, delicatessens, clothing stores and another bank,  rather than estate agencies, solicitors, pubs and hairdressers.
  • Concerns were raised about relocating the leisure centre and the petrol station, about  traffic issues and the need for a bypass.

Work is now underway to respond to the issues raised including:

  • A transport assessment to fully assess the traffic impacts and ensure that the development incorporates a road network that caters for traffic, cyclists and pedestrians.
  • A Retail Opportunities Study to focus on the marketing of the smaller retail units.
  • A review of the design and architectural approach to the new buildings on Steppingley Rd, Coniston Rd and around the station to address concerns over the artist’s impressions.
  • The petrol station location and impacts are also being reviewed.

Discussions continue with Network Rail and First Capital Connect to ensure delivery of all the station improvements. Whilst the railway may be able to provide some funding towards these much needed improvements, they will not happen without funding from the value generated by the new retail and residential development.


Ken Matthews, Mid Beds’ Planning Portfolio Holder, said:

“The partners have a lot more work to do to develop these plans.  We want to include people’s wishes wherever possible and where we can secure funding from the developers to pay for it.

“Housing is needed in the area and Mid Beds is committed to ensuring that any new housing contains a proportion of affordable housing – for example for rent or joint ownership schemes – to help local people get on the housing ladder.

“We hope to be in a position to report a revised masterplan and planning framework to the Council’s Executive in May. If approved the developers will then work towards submitting planning applications in late 2008 or early 2009.”

The full results of the consultation can be found on the Mid Beds website:

  • Flitwick Town Centre Consulation Redevelopment 


ENDS

For further information contact:

Mark Hustwitt, Communications Manager on 01462 611014 (office), 07967474285 (mobile), or  e-mail mark.hustwitt@midbeds.gov.uk

Catherine Ruvolo, Communications Officer on 01462 611006 (office) 07967 474311 (mobile) or e-mail Catherine.ruvolo@midbeds.gov.uk