Cardington sheds: plans for more housing submitted

Another housing estate could be built in the shadow of two iconic former airship hangars.

Bedford Borough Council has received an outline planning application for up to 204 homes next to the Cardington sheds.

Homes England said the site could offer affordable housing in Shortstown, next to the former RAF base.

Also included in the outline plans were a mobility hub, which could include a bus stop, a car club facility, EV charging points, and parcel lockers.

The area being earmarked was formerly used by the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and lies to the south west of Cardington village, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It is surrounded by housing developments on three sides and sits right next to the giant hangars, where some of the world's first airships were built a century ago, and where the Airlander hybrid air vehicle was recently developed before planned production moved to South Yorkshire.

The two giant hangars were built for airship construction, but more recently have been used by film production companies such as Warner Brothers and Disney.

Over the past 16 years, housing developments have gradually sprung up in the surrounding area, but the sheds themselves are protected by Grade II listed status.

Homes England, which is the government's housing and regeneration agency, said the site formed part of "a larger strategic housing allocation" for Shortstown, as noted in the Local Plan 2030.

The application suggests there will be a "high-quality" range of house types, including affordable housing.

The overall consultation expiry date is Wednesday, 3 January.

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