Former Stewartby brickworks sold to developer

The Bedfordshire site covers about 130 acres (about 50 hectares)

A site that was once home to the world's largest brickworks has been sold.

The former Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick brickworks in Bedfordshire has outline planning consent for 1,000 new homes, a school and community facilities.

The 130-acre (about 50-hectare) site, which is about six miles (about 10km) from Bedford town centre, has been bought by property developer Harworth from Heidelberg Materials, previously known as Hanson UK.

"The sale of the Stewartby site is a significant milestone in the regeneration of this historic industrial area," said Nick Madden, of property agent Knight Frank.

"With its excellent transport links, including proximity to the A421 and the Marston Vale Railway line – which is set to benefit from the East-West Rail project – this development will create a thriving new community.

"The mix of housing, employment land and community facilities will breathe new life into Stewartby while preserving elements of its important industrial heritage."

Knight Frank said the development would include a primary school and pre-school, a heritage centre and "various community facilities".

It said that about a quarter of the site would be dedicated to public open space, amenity and habitat areas.

The agent said the site had a gross development value of £400m.

Brickmaking at Stewartby

Stewartby, pictured here in 1942, was part of the London Brick Company

• Brickmaking in the area began when John Cathles Hill, a housebuilder, bought various small local companies, which became the London Brick Company (LBC) in 1900

• In 1926, the LBC began to build a garden village for its employees at Wootton Pillinge

• The Wootton Pillinge LBC village was renamed Stewartby in 1936, after the Stewart family, directors of the LBC

• In the same year, Stewartby was recognised as the largest brickworks in the world, employing 2,000 people and producing 500 million bricks a year

• Four of the original chimneys remained on the site, standing up to 70m (230ft) tall, until 26 September 2021