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 growth, 2025 promises to be an interesting year. In our Q4 news update, we review the progress of local plans and recent and forthcoming planning decisions: National Planning As promised, on the 12 December 2024 the Government published the updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), including increased housing targets and the introduction of Grey Belt land. Tis was accompanied by several important updates to Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) with an expectation for further PPG updates in January 2025. A Planning Reform Working Paper: Planning Committees, is inviting views on how the government could reform planning [...]

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 build and operate the new railway. As part of the pre-application stage EWR are consulting on the proposals and the consultation will be open until 24 January 2025. More details about the consultaion are set out on the EWR webpage. EWR are now holding a series of consultation events across the route to give people the opportunity to find out more about the  proposals as follows: Tempsford, Stuart Memorial Hall, 13 December 2024, 2pm - 7pm St Neots, St Neots Town Football Club, 7 January 2025, 2pm - 7pm Comberton, Comberton Village Hall, 10 January 2025, 2pm - [...]

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 Borough Council Hertsmere Borough Council The Joint Strategic Plan (JSP) will provide a long-term blueprint for the area to 2050. It will be able to consider and address issues that cross council boundaries and set out a strategic vision for the area. It will also help guide future plans and strategies by setting out high level policies on topics such as climate change, infrastructure, environmental protection, employment and housing. An interactive map and dashboard, has been published to help understand the area and its social, economic and environmental characteristics.  All the authorities have now endorsed the [...]

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 accelerate stalled housing sites. The consultation closed on 24 September and the final updated document is expected before the end of the year. A Written Ministerial Statement : Building the homes we need was made on 30 July 2024. A further consultation Brownfield Passport: Making the Most of Urban Land invites views on further action that could be taken through the planning system to support the development of brownfield land in urban areas. Local Plan Update Central Bedfordshire Local Plan Central Bedfordshire are progressing a Full Local Plan Review in accordance with the revised Local [...]

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 a survey form and a map-based questions opportunity.  This closed for responses on 23 September 2024 with the exception of the Youth Survey which is open until 8 November 2024.   A call for Brownfield sites only is expected to commence on 4th November. If this does not yield enough land to meet potential housing needs then they expect to launch a full Call for Sites on 9th December. The Call for Sites process will conclude at the end of January 2025. Following this the Local Plan is expected to progress with the following key milestones: [...]