Biggleswade East

Biggleswade East is a major landscape-led urban extension to the east of the Bedfordshire town of Biggleswade. Conceived as a cluster of five walkable villages surrounding a farmstead and set within a 375-hectare site, over half the land is reserved for a country park. Landscape was central to our vision, a defining feature that fosters connection to nature, wellbeing and a sense of place.

The masterplan provides 6,000 homes with integrated community uses and a detailed first phase of 1,500 homes and businesses. The new settlement is not a dormitory suburb but a self-sustaining village with shops, shared workspaces, allotments and everyday meeting places that support active social life.

Inspired by the layout of local Bedfordshire villages, often built around crossroads, we designed organic streets that support daily journeys, moving from dense centres to soft rural edges. The emphasis on walkability and nature is supported by tree-lined streets, dedicated cycleways and an extensive network of footpaths that link across the site, connecting to existing bridleways and Public Rights of Way.

The masterplan is designed to be both attractive and purposeful, offering a place to live and visit. With lakes, ecology and outdoor recreation woven throughout, Biggleswade East is positioned as a destination for leisure and nature linked to nearby RSPB Sandy.

This is a place shaped by robust urban design and thoughtful placemaking, establishing a new identity while embracing its rural setting and celebrating the heritage of nearby communities.

Our landscape vision for Biggleswade East delivers strategic open space for both the new settlement and the wider Biggleswade community. At its heart is a new country park designed to enhance biodiversity and open up previously inaccessible, low-grade farmland. A strong landscape framework connects with the wider green infrastructure network, prevents coalescence with neighbouring villages, and screens sensitive views.

The country park is complemented by a series of accessible open spaces, including allotments, playing fields, bridleways, village greens and informal landscapes. From every home, residents will be just a few steps away from nature. This was one of our core placemaking principles.

We worked closely with the urban design team to ensure landscape reaches into the development itself. This approach subdivides neighbourhoods and brings nature close to homes. Tree-lined streets, small greens and play areas extend into even the more urban areas, offering diverse spaces for recreation, gathering and quiet reflection.

Enhancements to existing spaces, such as Biggleswade Common and grassland habitats along the site’s northern boundary, are balanced by bold new interventions. Along the western edge, a linear park integrates a mosaic of wetlands, boardwalks, bridges and bird hides, developed in collaboration with the RSPB at Sandy. These spaces provide a mix of quiet wildlife zones and interactive areas for play and exploration.

A comprehensive footpath and trail network links the development to Biggleswade town and its station, promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging access to the countryside.