Coplan Estates and Denne, part of the Leadbitter Group, have been appointed by Bedford Borough Council as development partners for the £50 million project to regenerate the town’s riverside.
The development site is currently occupied by a car park and the existing Bedford Borough Council’s offices, which are due to be vacated in the spring of 2012 following Bedford Borough Council securing unitary authority status for the Borough. The area has been identified as a key location for the redevelopment and revitalisation of Bedford Town Centre and will seek to introduce a much needed leisure offer.
Denne and CoPlan are working with architects, PRP to develop proposals for the site, including a seven screen cinema, 150 bedroom hotel, 30,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space (A1/A3 uses) and 150 high-quality residential units. At present, detailed discussions are underway with a potential cinema operator with planning permission expected to be applied for in the summer of 2012.
Mayor of Bedford, Dave Hodgson said, “This high profile site offers a fantastic opportunity to deliver real regeneration for our town centre. We are working hard alongside Coplan/Denne to bring forward the scheme and make the most of this unique town centre riverside location for Bedford.”
Colin McQueston, Director of Coplan Estates, said, “We are delighted with our appointment as preferred development partner. The riverside location of the site provides us with a unique opportunity to deliver an exceptional, leisure-led, regeneration scheme to complement the existing town centre and build upon the council’s clear objective to create a stronger local economy by delivering sustainable growth and employment for existing and future residents.”
Graham Brown, Managing Director of Denne, said, “We look forward to working with Co Plan and the local community to progress these proposals and maximise the opportunities this project presents”
Coplan and Denne are also the preferred development partners for the £50m mixed use redevelopment of a council owned car park within the heart of Herne Bay for Canterbury City Council.
