The Forest of Marston Vale proposes to develop the gravel extraction pits visible from the Bedford Southern Bypass into a countryside leisure park with areas of natural beauty, large rowing lake, sports village and science park.

Proposals also include areas of woodland, swimming lakes with beaches, an equestrian route, wetland area, cycle route and ancient monuments.

The lake will be approximately 2,300 metres long by 108 metres wide featuring sculptured banks and extensive reed beds to provide appropriate wildlife habitat.

This will also aid wave dissipation to assist in providing top quality training water under most conditions.

Not least it will make the lake a far more attractive and natural looking feature set in 800 acres of parkland.

The main objective is to provide a training rowing lake of international standard to attract athletes from the UK and abroad to what will be the most user friendly water in the UK, due to its topography, orientation and shallow depth.

This will be set in a country park environment, easily accessible by road, rail, and air to provide recreation for the fast expanding local community and attract tourists and visitors nationally and internationally.

For more information please visit http://www.bedford-rowing-lake.com/ and http://www.marstonvale.org/brvp/

Download Site Masterplan here.