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Decision on drive-throughs near Universal delayed

Martin Heath,Bedfordshire political reporterand
John Guinn,Local Democracy reporter
News imageTurnstone Estates An artistic impression of part of the new Interchange South estate. There is a walkway running south to north, with two people on it. It is lined by hedges and some trees. Industrial units are along the back edge and there are many parking spaces. A person wheels a bike across a zebra crossing and a white lorry is parked in front of a unit.Turnstone Estates
The drive-throughs could create 260 jobs, it has been claimed

A decision on plans for three drive-through cafes opposite the proposed Universal Studios theme park has been delayed following an objection by the Environment Agency.

The cafes would be built on agricultural land in Kempston, near Bedford, next to a retail park which already has four drive-throughs.

The agency says the application should be rejected as it is on floodplain and would not count as essential infrastructure.

A decision on the plan had been due to be made by Bedford Borough Council on Monday, but has been pushed back until later in March.

Few plans have generated as much excitement in recent years as the Universal Studios' UK theme park.

The 476-acre (193-hectare) site in Kempston Hardwick could attract more than eight million visitors, so it is no surprise developers are keen to make use of land nearby.

The proposed drive-throughs would be directly opposite the Universal site, on the other side of the A421.

News imageTurnstone Estates An aerial satellite plan of the local area with labels marking out the main features. These labels are, from left to right, B&Q, A421, The Site, Proposed Universal Studios UK Site, and Interchange Retail Park. The A421 runs diagonally across the picture from bottom left to top right. Above it are a series of ponds and fields. On the other side of the A421 are several roads and roundabouts and a large industrial warehouse with car parks in front.Turnstone Estates
The drive-through cafes would be across the road from Universal, and next to a retail park with four drive-throughs

The applicant, Turnstone Estates, also wants to create six commercial units on the site for small and medium-sized businesses.

Its agent says the development would "make a significant contribution to the Bedford economy by supporting circa 260 direct and circa 126 indirect jobs".

However, the Environment Agency has objected, saying the site is within a functional floodplain, where developments would only be allowed if they were essential infrastructure or "water-compatible", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

News imageGoogle A retail park with a McDonald's in the foreground and white buildings in the background. Cars are parked around the site and there are red No Entry signs on one side of McDonald's. In the distance you can see a Costa sign on a small white building.Google
The Interchange Retail Park has McDonald's, Costa, Burger King and KFC cafes

Stewartby Parish Council, which covers Kempston Hardwick, also objected, saying it was worried the development would create extra traffic and encourage Universal Studios traffic to use the B530 and A6 junctions.

The parish council said this was "something the Universal plans wish to avoid".

The plan was due to be discussed by Bedford's Planning Committee on Monday but was withdrawn from the agenda, and the deadline for a decision has been extended to the end of March.

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