POLICY LL4: Linslade Cluster
- The Neighbourhood Plan identifies Linslade, between the Grand Union Canal and Leighton Buzzard Railway Station, as shown on the Policies Map for the purpose of managing proposals for retail, leisure, commercial and housing. Proposals will be supported where they align with the objectives of the Wider Town Centre Spatial Framework (Appendix A) as they relate to Linslade (known in the document as Cluster Two) as follows:
- A new multi-modal hub and improved public realm at Leighton Buzzard railway station to include mixed travel uses. This should include a bus stop/interchange, cycle storage, e-bike hire, e-car sharing/ car club space, additional seating and shelters to facilitate onwards active travel, enhance passenger comfort and encourage use of the railway over car use.
- Within the area identified on the Policies Map as the “Mixed-use Focus Area ” development which strengthens and reinforces the function of the local centre for the benefit of local residents, including the creation of new retail or community facilities. Change of use at ground floor level to residential at ground floor level will not be supported unless it can be demonstrated that they would not be result in an erosion of the function of the local centre.
- New cycle parking, walking and cycling routes around the Heritage Focus Area, (located within the conservation area and the setting of the listed building cluster around St Barnabas Church,) which enable better access to the Station, St Barnabas Church and Linslade Recreation Ground will be supported where proposals are able to demonstrate how they have seek to preserve and celebrate local character and heritage in their design, layout, form and massing.
- Where required to deliver Ai) and Aiii) support will be given for enabling residential development through the re-purposing of underutilised car parking area(s) at the Station, where it can be demonstrated that there is no significant harm to the setting of the adjacent designated heritage assets.
This paLinslade is in the west of the Wider Town Centre Spatial Framework study area, beyond the Grand Union Canal. The area rapidly developed in the early part of the nineteenth century after the opening of the canal in 1805 and then the railway line in 1838. It was initially known as Chelsea New Town or New Linslade (the original village, Old Linslade was a mile to the north.
This area has a mixture of uses with a small number of cafes, restaurants and take-aways as well as a few businesses. The centre is less defined than Leighton Buzzard and the area has a predominantly residential feel with community and recreational facilities including Linslade Recreation Ground and Mentmore Road Memorial Playing Field and Gardens. Linslade is an important area in terms of connections and active travel given the railway station is located in this area. It is important to maintain and improve Linslade’s character in its own right, as well as strengthening connections with Leighton Buzzard town centre and make sure these two areas complement each other with the uses and spaces they offer.
To see the full Leighton-Linslade Neighbourhood Plan Policy Map, or to find instructions about how to use our interactive maps, please visit our Policy Map page.