Voices from the past, conversations for the future

Continuing the theme of Harlington’s anglo saxon origins, Tony Stallard is currently in the design process of a new ‘prehistoric’ public art commision for Harlington. This is in light of his work with Harlington’s lower and upper schools, and a public class with some of the village’s locals, which have enabled him to further develop the project.

 

 

Harlington has Anglo Saxon origins and means ‘Hill of Hercla’s people’. Harl is a contraction of the Old English name Herela, ing/ingas meaning ‘people of’, and ton meaning hill. The Domesday Book references Herlingdone, with Nigel Albine as the lord of the manor. The Ancient Parish is part of the Manshead Hundred and now forms part of Central Bedfordshire Unitary Authority, which is a much more utilitarian name!

Since these early days it has been continuously inhabited with particular growth occurring as the railway line was introduced and again in the 1970’s when commuting to London became a reality.

The history of Harlington is one of dissention, with John Bunyan preaching non-conformity and Pirot and de Montford reasserting the principles of the Magna Carter and leading political and religious rebellion.

New Homes

The site for the new development is located to the west of the railway line, accessed by road from Toddington Road. There are pedestrian and cycle routes planned to connect Westoning Road via the community orchard, along the existing right of way, and to create new routes through and around the development.

The plans show a Greenway Edge, running through the center of the development, including an off-set play area and open green spaces. It is twice bisected by the main street and will form a loop through the main residential area. The Greenway Edge and the new routes around the site will offer opportunities for incidental social interactions as well as places to meet.

The site is being developed in two phases: the first phase includes the main infrastructure, the public open spaces, new school and approximately 136 residential units; the second phase includes the construction of the further housing parcels.