UK-based brewer Charles Wells has submitted a planning application to Bedford Borough Council to develop on land at Fairhill.

Charles Wells will invest £13mn into the site, which will include a 30,000 hectolitre brewery, a visitor centre for brewery tours, an on-site pub and an events venue.

The location was chosen because it has access to major roads in and out of Bedford.

The site is also close to the Bedford Oolite aquifer. Water from the aquifer was tapped by the brewery’s founder and is still used in the production of Charles Wells’ beers.

Charles Wells commercial director Peter Wells said: “As a business Bedford has been our home for over 140 years, and many members of the Wells family have lived and grown up here.

“Building this brewery in our home town gives us an opportunity to further develop our story and create exciting, new beers and experiences.”

“Building this brewery in our home town maintains our heritage but gives us an opportunity to further develop our story and create exciting, new beers and experiences that will continue to support our loyal Pub Partners and their customers.

The move by Charles Wells to develop the site in Fairhill is part of the company’s focus on becoming a pub company as well as a brewer.

Wells said: “While we remain a brewing family, our entire business focus is about supporting our pubs, whether they are part of our leased and tenanted estate or our growing managed estates in the UK and France.

“The new Charles Wells brewery will be a shining example of how traditional brewers can turn the evolution of the brewing industry to their advantage.”

Charles Wells has been looking for a new permanent base since it sold its Eagle Brewery to pub retailer Marston’s in May last year.