Astral Green Residential
Welcome
Astral Green Residential is a proposed development to the south of Leighton Buzzard.
This exhibition showcases the emerging masterplan and invites feedback from the local community, which will help to inform and shape the scheme as it progresses towards a planning application in summer 2026.
Arnold White Group
Arnold White Estates is part of AWGroup, a family-owned business with quarrying heritage in the Bedfordshire area dating back over five generations. The Group is committed to clean power communities, investing in cutting edge technologies and exacting design standards, combining clean energy provision and expert community design to make sustainable living and working a reality, today.
Site Location
ABOUT THE SITE
Constraints plan
Site Features
The site has a number of features that have influenced the scheme’s form and layout:
- Topography of the site
- Space required at the north of the site to accommodate surface water drainage
- Protection of existing hedgerows
Ecology
Surveys are being undertaken on site for bats, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Archaeology
An Archaeological Baseline and a Heritage Impact Assessment will be submitted with the planning application.
Noise & Air Quality
The planning application will be accompanied by a Noise Impact Assessment and Air Quality Assessment.
Arboriculture
A full tree and hedgerow survey of the site and boundaries has been carried out. It is proposed that there will be a few punctuations through the existing hedge line to enable access and connections.
TRANSPORT AND DRAINAGE
Highway and Access
Detailed highways, flood risk and drainage assessments are being undertaken, and the planning application will be accompanied by full reports explaining how these matters have been considered and addressed as part of the proposals.
Highways
It is proposed that a single point of access would be provided to the site, via Leighton Road. This would be via the existing 3-arm Leighton Road/ Fraserfields Way roundabout, with a 4th arm provided into the site.
Pedestrian and cycle connections are proposed to connect with existing infrastructure along Leighton Road. This will also provide direct connections to existing bus stops within walking distance of the site.
The internal road layout would be designed in accordance with local standards and Manual for Streets principles, which would create a hierarchy placing pedestrians and cyclists before motorists. It is proposed that the routes within the development would provide shared spaces, which would help to encourage low vehicle speeds, make it easier for people to move around sustainably, promote social interaction and create an environment where pedestrians/ cyclists are not intimidated by motorists.
The development will provide safe, attractive and well-lit movement corridors throughout to connect with existing pedestrian/cycle routes. It will also provide easy, safe and direct crossings to facilitate pedestrian/cycle trips to/from existing services and facilities in proximity to the site.
Drainage
Natural drainage occurs as the land falls from the south to the north, where a culvert conveys water under Stanbridge Road and into the Clipstone Brook. A series of carefully designed attenuation features will be provided to contain surface water. Flow control devices will restrict the runoff from the site, which is currently uncontrolled.
Downstream flows will be restricted to greenfield runoff rates, which will be less that the uncontrolled discharge arrangements that currently exist.
The development will incorporate a series of SuDS measures such as swales or bioretention features, which will channel water into vegetated systems, and enhance the water quality.
The scheme is shown to be safe from flooding and does not increase flood risk elsewhere. The sustainable drainage features proposed are designed to provide enhanced water quality, as well as providing an enhanced landscape benefit to the community.
SCHEME PROPOSAL
Masterplan
This is an outline planning application for up to 160 homes.
The development includes for a mix of house sizes and types, with 45% affordable housing. Informal open spaces, including play areas and allotments, provide common spaces for residents.
Astral Park would be easily accessible from the development along a new footpath to the south.
This north of the site is left open to allow for natural, sustainable drainage. The would be enhanced with trees, creating a visual and acoustic buffer from Leighton Road and the large commercial buildings opposite.
The south of the site, is also left open to maintain a natural green corridor along the ridge line from Stanbridge Meadows. The majority of the existing hedgerows around the site will be retained and protected by a buffer corridor.
The site is well connected to Leighton Buzzard town, a ten-minute cycle ride away, and a local food shop just over five minutes’ walk. There are bus stops close to the site with routes into Leighton Buzzard and the railway station, as well as Luton and Dunstable. Train services from the station run to London, Milton Keynes, Birmingham and other key destinations.
The scheme would include improvements to the footways along Leighton Road as well as a footpath link to Astral Park playing field.
Artist’s Impression
CONTACT US
If you have feedback on the Eastern Way Quarries scheme that you would like to share with Arnold White Estates, please email us at astralgreenresidential@awgroup.org.uk or use the free-text box below.