Houghton Regis Timeline 2000 – Present

Houghton Regis Timeline 2000 – Present

2000s

2001: Houghton Regis population 16,970. Andrew Selous (Conservative) is elected to serve in Parliament for the constituency of South West Bedfordshire. Census details.
2006: 7 June, Co-Op supermarket on High Street is burnt down by an arsonist; Houghton Regis Community Centre above, uninsured, is also lost.
2008: Bedford Square re-developed to create new library, health centre, and community centre.
2009: Houghton Regis Skate Park opens at Tithe Farm Recreation Ground. Bedford Square Centre opens. Facilities include library and health services. 1st April, Bedfordshire County Council is abolished [link], South Bedfordshire District Council is merged with Mid Bedfordshire to form Central Bedfordshire Council.

2010s

2010: In February, a volunteer-run news page, Houghton Regis News Desk, is begun as a Facebook Page by town councillor, Alan Winter. This runs until the end of 2022.
A new brick built pavilion for Bowls Club opens at Moore Crescent.
2012: Central Bedfordshire University Technical College is opened in Parkside Drive; Lord Baker plants a tree and HRH Prince Andrew visits on 9th October.
2014: Houghton Regis North development Site 1 (HRN1)
Outline planning permission for HRN1 was granted in 2014.
HRN1 will include:
  1. up to 5,150 new homes of a range of types and sizes
  2. 1 million square feet Lidl warehouse
  3. retail, leisure and offices of around 1 million square feet
  4. new community facilities including new doctors’ surgery, community hall and associated provision
  5. 78 hectares of open space, including community orchards, formal parkland, sports pitches and informal open space
  6. 3 new primary schools
  7. contribution towards secondary school provision at Kingsland or All Saints
  8. major strategic roads – A5-M1 link road, M1 Junction 11A and the Woodside Link – connection between the M1 and Houghton Regis
  9. new infrastructure including foul water and sewerage connections, a local road network and new utilities provision
  10. undergrounding the electricity pylons that currently run parallel to the M1
The developer, Houghton Regis Development Consortium (HRDC), has been working up a comprehensive delivery strategy for HRN1 and the next stage is to develop a site-wide masterplan, a site-wide design code and area masterplans for the site.
2015: A well, millstone, and foundations of a old farmstead are found during the construction of the Woodside Link road between Pastures Way and Parkside Drive.
2015: June, Houghton Hall Park, now jointly managed by Central Bedfordshire Council and Houghton Regis Town Council was awarded a funding bid of £2.2 million to transform the park from Heritage and Big Lottery Funds ‘Parks for People’ grant scheme. For more information about the park click here
2015: Houghton Regis Town Council publishes the Town Plan 2020-2024
Our Vision: Our Town
The plan has identified things to improve on, what you would like to change, and services and
facilities that would improve where you live, play and work.
With the help and support of local organisations, strategic partners, and the community working together we can help to achieve this vision.
Our objectives and aspirations for the next 4 years are listed in the attached booklet:
Our Vision: Our Town 2020-2024 Booklet

2020s

2024: 7 April the Town Council passed the following resolution:
“This Council notes and shares the widespread public disappointment that Central Bedfordshire Council is neglecting The Red House. Further to the very positive viewing of the Red House organised by the Houghton Regis Heritage Society on Thursday, 4th April ’24, with many invited Councillors from Central Bedfordshire and Houghton Regis Town Councils attending. Therefore, I request a recorded vote of Houghton Regis Town Council to agree or disagree on the following point:
1. The Houghton Regis Town Council agrees to work in partnership with the Houghton Regis Heritage Society to secure the Red House for genuine public use.”
2015: The Houghton Regis Neighbourhood Plan is agreed and Published. A referendum was held on 2nd May for the residents to agree it.
19 September: The Town Mayor, Cllr Elaine Cooper, unveils the information Board “Houghton Hall and the Brandreths of Houghton Regis“. Prepared by the Houghton Regis Heritage Society and installed in Houghton Hall Park
2025: Houghton Regis Town Council takes over Management of Houghton Hall Park.
June 2025: The Society worked with Lime Tree Primary Academy to produce a Timeline of the History of Houghton Regis,
The Timeline consists of seven panels mounted permanently on the wall in the school’s hall. Each class chose a topic from the Timeline and their work is displayed under each board. The Timeline, with the pupils’ work was launched at a Special All School Assembly on 19th June, attended by HM Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Mrs Susan Lousada and the Town Mayor Cllr Michele Herber. More information can be found at the following link. Timeline
2026: Houghton Regis Town Council Launches a Promotional Video abut the Town
“Houghton Regis – A Story Told by Its People
Discover the journey of our small town with a big history — and an even bigger future. From the close-knit community life of the 1950s through to the changes of the 70s, and into today’s thriving, fast-growing town, this film celebrates how Houghton Regis has evolved — while never losing its heart.
Now at the centre of one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, Houghton Regis is home to new communities, new schools, and new opportunities. A modern town rising with pride in its past and ambition for its future.”
The Heritage Society provided many images from our Archive and Roger Turner spoke of the vital role played by the Meteorological Office, based in Upper Houghton Regis during World War 2, in determining June 6th 1944 for the D-Day Landings.  The video can be viewed on Youtube: https://bit.ly/AStoryToldbyItsPeople
The Heritage Society has published a booklet describing the role of the Meteorological Office, Upper Houghton Regis in World War 2, which can be viewed at this link