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