Knight Frank has sold a vast brownfield site in Bedfordshire which has potential for a £400 million residential led scheme for 1,000 homes.
Acting on behalf of Heidelberg Materials (formerly Hanson Brick), the property giant’s residential development land team has sold what was once the world’s largest brickworks at Stewartby, Bedfordshire to Harworth PLC.
The 130-acre site, approximately 6.4 miles from Bedford town centre, has outline planning consent for the 1,000 new homes, along with associated infrastructure, a school and community provisions.
Stewartby’s rich industrial heritage dates to the early 1900s when the brickworks were first developed. Operations continued until 2008. Grade II listed kilns on the site are being partially retained and an iconic Stewartby chimney is being reconstructed.
Nick Madden, partner in the development land team at Knight Frank, said: “The sale of the Stewartby site is a significant milestone in the regeneration of this historic industrial area. With its excellent transport links, including proximity to the A421 and the Marston Vale Railway line – which is set to benefit from the East West Rail project – this development will create a thriving new community.
“The mix of housing, employment land, and community facilities will breathe new life into Stewartby while preserving elements of its important industrial heritage. Not without its significant complexities, it has been a real team effort to complete the sale and I very much look forward to seeing the development delivered.”
Details of the development include 1.31 hectares of employment land, a new primary school and pre-school, a heritage centre and various community facilities.
A total of 26.5 per cent of the site will be public open space, amenity and habitat areas.
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