Angry residents have held a second protest against Grace Church’s hybrid plans for a community hub and 79 sustainable homes near Cemetery Road.

Yesterday’s event (Sunday) was coordinated by Protect Kempston’s Flood Plain – a Facebook group founded by Cllr James Valentine, Rebecca Grover, and fellow residents in response to the initial planning submission.

You may remember, back in February last year, when Bedford Today revealed how Grace Community Church (GCC) – a new not-for-profit community hub – had submitted an application for a hybrid planning application for Riverside Meadow.

The proposals include an outline planning application for a residential development of 79 two to five bedroom sustainable homes on land north east of Cemetery Road.

Campaigners against the Grace Church development (Picture: Bill Ogle)

placeholder image — Campaigners against the Grace Church development (Picture: Bill Ogle)

But they were met with fury from residents, Bedford & Kempston MP Mohammad Yasin and councillors who said: “We don’t need their charity – residents don’t want or need it.”

Campaigners say the proposed site is an irreplaceable green space which provides vital heritage value and supports natural flood management.

They say flooding remains a major concern for residents in the Church Walk and Water Lane areas.

And in a statement, added: “Many still recall the Christmas 2020 floods, which prompted evacuation notices, as well as flooding last September that contributed to travel disruption and national media coverage.”

An artist's impression of the community hub (Grace Community Church)

But the church disputes that claim, insisting the proposals aren’t "in the floodplain”.

A spokesman said in February 2024: “Our extensive dialogue with the Environment Agency has established our proposed development is not in the floodplain. In the recent January 2024 floods, and in other recent severe events, the development site did not flood.”

The proposal has also prompted debate regarding Grace Church’s suitability as a community hub, as some critics argue its structure doesn’t reflect the diversity of modern Kempston.

More than 400 formal objections have now been submitted. The planning application is nearing a decision. Residents say they will continue campaigning until a final decision is reached.