As 2024 comes to an end, we reflect on a year where planning has maintained a high profile, both in the general election campaigns and following the election of the new government. With the recognition of the housing crisis and the continued focus on the need to fix the planning system to facilitate housing [...]

After a productive year in 2024, our offices will close at 4:30 PM on Tuesday, December 24th. We will reopen at 8:30 AM on January 2nd. We look forward to serving both our esteemed existing clients and welcoming new clients in 2025. Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year! [...]

The Bedford to Cambridge section of East West Rail (EWR), including proposed new stations at Bedford St Johns, Tempsford and Cambourne, has been designated as a project of national significance. This means that an application will be made to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Development Consent Order (DCO), for consent to [...]

Hertfordshire County Council are responsible for planning for waste, minerals (mostly sand and gravel quarries) and for services they provide like schools, libraries and roads. However they are working on a joint strategic plan for South West Hertfordshire together with: Dacorum Borough Council St Albans City and District Council Three Rivers District Council Watford [...]

The change of Government has sparked a wave of developments in local and national planning. Read our Q3 News update to learn more: National Planning On the National Planning scene the new Government launched a revised draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), including the introduction of Grey Belt land and a new task force to [...]

Central Bedfordshire are progressing a Full Local Plan Review in accordance with the revised Local Development Scheme (LDS)  under the new legislation.  The LDS sets out the high-level timeframe for the development of an updated Local Plan. The Local Plan Engagement Strategy has now been finalised.  The Council recently undertook a consultation which included [...]

Planning in Buckinghamshire offers great opportunities due to its location with Greater London to the south-east, Berkshire to the south, Oxfordshire to the west, Northamptonshire to the north, Bedfordshire to the north-east and Hertfordshire to the east, together with its position in the Oxford to Cambridge (OxCam) Arc. Buckinghamshire is one of the home [...]

On 3 March 2017, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority was established as a Mayoral Combined Authority for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area. The Combined Authority works with the local councils, the Business Board (Local Enterprise Partnership), local public services, Government departments and agencies, universities and businesses to grow the local and national economy. Local government is [...]

During the first half of 2024 there were interesting local and national planning updates and developments and there are more to come following the change of government.  Read our Q2 News update to learn more: National Planning On the National Planning scene the new Government have announced that Planning is at the heart of [...]

Woburn Abbey has been the family home of the Earls and Dukes of Bedford for nearly 400 years. Planning in Bedfordshire is administered by three unitary authorities: Borough of Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Borough of Luton, after Bedfordshire County Council was abolished in 2009. The current Strategic Planning position in Bedfordshire is as follows: Bedford Borough The Local Plan 2030 was adopted [...]