Publication Date: 07-05-2025 09:00
Bellway buys land for third phase of 163 homes at Linmere
Bellway has acquired land to deliver an additional 163 homes at Linmere on the edge of Houghton Regis.
The housebuilder has purchased the 4.53-acre site, which is known as parcel 3B and already has outline planning permission for residential development, from strategic land developer Lands Improvement.
A detailed planning application for the site, which sits within the eastern part of the wider development, on land off Woodside Link Road, is set to be submitted to Central Bedfordshire Council in May.
Bellway is proposing to build a mix of two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses, comprising 139 properties for private sale and 24 affordable homes for low-cost rent or shared ownership.
The development, which is to be known as Linmere Mews, will bring the total number of homes Bellway is delivering at Linmere to 470.
The wider Linmere project is planned to eventually consist of 5,150 homes and new schools, shops, community facilities, employment land and more than 90 acres of public outdoor space.
Neil Grainger, Land Director for Bellway Northern Home Counties, said: “This latest acquisition represents our third phase of development at Linmere and underlines our continued commitment to the wider scheme where we first began building back in 2020.
“This latest collection of apartments and houses will provide additional choice for housebuyers in the area, following the success of our previous two phases at Linmere, which have both proved to be incredibly popular.
“We have developed a close working relationship with Lands Improvements and would like to thank its team for their professionalism in completing the land deal for this important site. Subject to planning approval, we hope to be in a position to start construction work on this new phase by the end of this year.”
Bellway’s first two developments at Linmere are both located within the central part of the wider urban extension and are accessed from Sundon Road.
The land for Bellway at Linmere, a 153-home development between Waterslade Way and Sundon Road, was acquired in 2019 with work getting underway the following year. All homes have been reserved with 152 now built and handed over to their new occupants.
Bellway is building a further 154 homes in its second phase at Linmere Gateway. This development is located just to the north of Bellway at Linmere, on the other side of Waterslade Way. All homes have been reserved, with 144 homes now reserved and 118 built and handed over to their new occupants.
Neil said: “Bellway is proud to be playing a major role in the ambitious Linmere Urban Extension which is creating a vibrant and attractive new neighbourhood on the edge of Houghton Regis. New facilities and infrastructure are being delivered alongside the new homes and this is helping to build a strong sense of community.”
The new facilities include a new primary school building which has been completed off Silver Birch Avenue to enable the expansion of the existing Thornhill Primary School from one-form entry to three-form entry.
The Farmstead, a new community hub, has also opened its doors, while Lidl has opened a supermarket on the site and has unveiled a one million square foot logistics warehouse at the edge of the development.
James Stone, Managing Director at Lands Improvement said: “This marks our third sale to Bellway who continue to prove themselves as a valued and reliable delivery partner at Linmere. This transaction marks another important step forward in the creation of a fantastic new community, creating a place for residents to make Linmere their home.”
There’s currently a selection of one-bedroom apartments available to reserve at Linmere Gateway, with prices starting at £230,000. To find out more about the development, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/northern-home-counties/linmere-gateway or call the sales team on 01582 228117.
