A planning application has been submitted for 147 new houses to be built at Arlesey Cross, to the rear of 175 to 229 High Street.

Construction company Cala Homes has submitted the application to Central Bedfordshire Council, with the houses ranging in size from one to five bedrooms. Thirty per cent of the houses are intended to be 'affordable'.

There was a public consultation on the proposed development earlier this year.

The development would include new local infrastructure including construction of further sections of the Arlesey Relief Road, running from the existing Cala development at Arlesey Grange, through the site to the boundary with land owned by Central Bedfordshire Council. Cala says that this will "reduce levels of traffic on the high street".

The proposals also include new recreational areas, new footpaths and a continuation of the existing shared pedestrian cycleway in the open space to the west.

Cala intend the development to be environmentally friendly, with electric vehicle charging points for every house and the use of heat pump technology.

Hedgerows and trees on the northern and southern borders of the site would be retained, with new hedgerows planted to fill gaps.

Further measures to encourage habitat biodiversity would include the nectar-rich planting, the placing of bird boxes, and the incorporation of bat boxes, swift bricks and bee bricks into the houses.

Neil Farnsworth, senior planning manager at Cala Homes (North Home Counties), said: “We are delighted to submit our plans for new housing in Arlesey.

"These plans are in line with our group-wide pursuit to deliver a sustainable future for our homeowners and local wildlife in the areas we operate within – our sustainability strategy has been embedded within our plans.

"Furthermore, biodiversity protection and enhacement infrastructure was carefully considered when we began pulling together these plans and will be installed throughout the site.

"The provision of additional sections to Arlesey Relief Road is a crucial element of our proposal, as it will help prevent build up of traffic in Arlesey.

“We await the outcome of the application and look forward to the prospect of delivering a community that people can be proud of.”