Work has started on the first phase of a major £550 million housing development at Great Denham, west of Bedford. David Wilson Homes South Midlands has embarked on The Fairways, the first 106 of a planned 2,760 new homes.

Managing director David Bell said: "This marks the start of an exciting journey which will transform more than 480 acres of land into a thriving new community. No development on this scale has previously been seen within the region."

Already under construction is the Bedford Western Bypass, and yet to come are two primary schools, a day nursery for up to 50 children under five, community hall, library, public house, pavilion,
primary healthcare facility, shops, football pitches, areas of
parkland and a recycling centre.

David Wilson Homes is further funding traffic calming,
pedestrian and cycle routes connecting Queens Park with Hillgrounds, a school bus service and two park and ride facilities.

Meanwhile, an archaeological dig has uncovered Neolithic, Bronze Age, Romano-British and early-
middle Saxon artefacts.