Historic
Bedford Castle Quay
The Castle Quay project is the redevelopment of the area surrounding Bedford Castle, a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Due to the historical nature of the site English Heritage has been involved throughout and consultation with the County Archeologists was also required to enable the development to progress. Development proposals were shaped by these consultations with the final approved proposal incorporating a full archaeological investigation of the existing site. This investigation had to be incorporated into the construction contract and the results integrated into the design of the works. The design had to be highly flexible and responsive these discoveries.
The complete scheme comprises 108 residential apartments, eight retail units, three restaurant units and the creation of Castle Bailey Gardens. The residential development has been designed to the latest standards on sustainability with features such as Sedum roofs and photovoltaic installations. The design of these elements required careful consideration given the setting of the completed development.
The Gardens have been created by an extensive excavation of the former public car park which exposed the remains of the Inner Bailey Hall of the Medieval Castle. Part of the new development sits over a medieval lime kiln, another Scheduled Ancient Monument. The excavated kiln is now exposed and has been incorporated in a purpose-designed display vault open to the public.