Cranfield application refused

We are pleased with the outcome from this month’s Development Management Committee Meeting at Central Bedfordshire Council. The application was for 180 dwellings on land north of Braeburn Way in Cranfield.

In 2021 an Appeal by Public Inquiry was dismissed, making this refusal the third time the site has been rejected.

The intended location of the development was between an existing housing estate and the boundary of Cranfield Airfield. In addition, it was close to a runway which is to be expanded following the announcement that Marshalls of Cambridge are relocating to the airfield.

Marshall Aerospace is one of the largest independent aerospace and defence companies in the world, delivering engineering, support solutions and services for both civil and military aircraft. The relocation of Marshalls will increase air traffic including heavier aircraft such as the Hercules C-130 flying in so any housing on the boundary would be subject to continuous aircraft noise.

CPRE Bedfordshire strongly objected to this application as the development was outside the settlement envelope and was a speculative, unnecessary large windfall development, not included in Central Bedfordshire’s Local Plan.