Architectural
and planning
PRP Architects - Spirit of the R101 Airship lives on in Cardington Airfield Masterplan
PRP’s design, submitted for outline
planning application, pays homage to Britain’s aeronautical
airship heritage
PRP’s masterplan for the redevelopment of the historic
Cardington Airfield site has been submitted for an outline
planning application to Bedford Borough Council. The 12.6
hectare site sits next to two listed Airship Sheds – two out of
only three remaining Sheds that were built in the 1920’s which
have survived the World Wars; they are also the only remnants of
Britain’s airship history. Outline planning permission for
employment use was originally granted to Frontier Estates in
1987 however these new plans have been re-submitted and propose
development for residential use.
The site sits in a historically rich location, situated within
the context of the former Cardington Airfield, the village of
Cardington and the purpose built Shortstown, built by the Shorts
Brothers in 1917 for workers of the airship industry. The
surroundings include the two Grade II listed Sheds, the concrete
base of the airship landing mast, which once towered 70m over
the airfield and to which the R101 was moored, Cardington
Church, where the memorial to the R101 passengers and crew may
be found, the Shorts Building, built to receive passengers for
the airships and the former Cardington Railway Station Building.
A significant area of public open space has been provided within
the proposed development. At its heart lies Airship Park,
celebrating the history of the site and the airship industry’s
heritage. Its central location will cater for the recreational
needs of the new community and will include children’s play
areas, a series of footpaths and information boards celebrating
the history of the airship industry. A ‘tree cathedral’, planted
as an outline of the R101 airship, replicates the airship’s
actual size. It provides the perfect setting for residents and
visitors to learn about the R101 and from within the open space,
people will be able to experience the story of the R101 from a
‘history line’ which runs from the Sheds and the original
mooring mast towards the village of Cardington.
The rural feel of the development will be reinforced through
lower densities and building heights are restricted to three
storeys, reflecting the character of the surroundings. Larger
detached and semi-detached dwellings will define the edge of the
development. Up to 425 dwellings are planned, comprising a mix
of houses and flats to meet the housing needs of the area. In
addition 30% of the new dwellings are earmarked for affordable
housing.
Other features include a series of shallow water bodies and
streams (Sustainable Drainage System) running through Airship
Park and throughout the scheme, a wildlife corridor for Badgers
to forage on lands surrounding the site and a series of
connected footpaths through the development linking to the
surrounding open space network.
Michael Mansell, Director, Frontier Estates, says: “The
new plans are the result of intensive consultations we have had
with local residents, Bedford Borough Council and Bedfordshire
County Council. I think PRP has delivered an extremely sensitive
and attractive design, one which honours Cardington’s airship
history whilst preserving and promoting the legacy of the R101
for future generations to enjoy.”
Email:
vanessa.clarke@prparchitects.co.uk