Area with four drive-throughs could see more added

An artistic impression of part of the new Interchange South estate. There is a pedestrian walkway running south to north, with two people walking 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 the unit.Turnstone Estates

The developer hopes Interchange South will create 260 new jobs

Louise Parry
BBC News, Bedfordshire

Three drive-through cafes could be built opposite the site earmarked for Universal Studios and next to a retail park with four existing drive-throughs.

A planning application has been submitted to develop agricultural land next to the A421 in Kempston, south of Bedford.

Applicant Turnstone Estates also wants to add six commercial buildings, which would be divided into "flexible use units" for small and medium-sized businesses.

The 5.29 hectare site borders the Interchange Retail Park that currently hosts several stores and Burger King, Costa, KFC and McDonalds.

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 rounds and roundabouts and a large industrial warehouses with car parks in front.Turnstone Estates

The proposed site is just across the road from the land earmarked for Universal Studios

The proposed Universal Studios theme park would sit on the other side of the A421 at Kempston Hardwick, and hopes to attract up to 55,000 visitors per day at peak times.

Universal's planning application includes a suggestion to link up the theme park's lake area with the Interchange Retail Park for cyclists and pedestrians.

Turnstone Estates said the project - entitled Interchange South - was in a "strategic location".

"Within five minutes is the proposed Universal Studios UK location, placing it at the heart of one of the most significant regional investments in a generation.

"It offers a rare opportunity for a range of businesses to locate in an established retail and employment location and next to a future global visitor destination," it said.

A piece of scrubby land seen from the road, which has a white line along one edge. It is edged by hedges and trees and has brown soil and weeds across the field. Google

The site lies between the B530 and Interchange Way on the south edge of Kempston

The property developer said its site was allocated for development in the Bedford Local Plan 2030.

It also plans to include rooftop solar panels to generate electricity and 140 cycle spaces and 273 car parking spaces.

"This proposal aims to bring forward a viable and deliverable scheme on land that has remained underutilised, thereby contributing positively to the local economy," it added.

A retail park with a McDonalds 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 McDonalds. In the distance you can see a Costa sign on a small white building. Google

The neighbouring retail park already has four drive-through cafes and restaurants: McDonalds, Costa, Burger King and KFC

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