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 in January 2020 and sets out how much growth there should be in the borough (housing, jobs and associated infrastructure) up to 2030 and where it should take place. In some settlements the Council is now looking to Neighbourhood Plans to allocate housing sites, generally in and around the defined Settlement Policy Area boundaries.
The Bedford Borough Allocations and Designations Local Plan was adopted in July 2013 and covers the period until 2021. The Plan identifies sites for development to meet the Council’s needs to 2021.
A number of other supplementary documents form the basis for decision making when planning applications are submitted to the council. A full list can be viewed here.
The draft Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 was submitted to the Secretary of State in January 2023. Subsequent to the Independent Examination the Inspectors Post Hearing Letter has raised fundamental concerns about the soundness of the plan. The Council have written to the Inspector with their June update following his post hearings advice. The letter can be viewed in the Examination documents on the Council’s webpages.
Central Bedfordshire
The Central Bedfordshire Local Plan 2015 to 2035 was formally adopted in July 2021. The adopted Local Plan is available on the Council’s website and carries full weight in the determination of planning applications.
The Council are progressing a Full Local Plan Review in accordance with the revised Local Development Scheme (LDS) under the new legislation. The Local Plan Engagement Strategy has now been finalised. The public launch is due to commence on 22nd July 2024, subject to Executive Member confirmation. This will be urging a two way engagement and will include a survey form and a map-based questions opportunity. A Call for Sites will be taking place before the end of the year, with brownfield sites first and all other sites to follow.
Luton Borough
The adopted Luton Local Plan (2011-31) is the strategic document setting out the vision, objectives and spatial planning strategy for the whole of Luton Borough Council’s area for the period up to 2031. More details can be viewed here.
The council is in the very early stages of the Local Plan Review. The Timetable for the Review of the Local Plan is set out in the Local Development Scheme and will be considered by the Council’s Executive on 22 July 2024. Evidence base collection for the new Local Plan is in progress and public consultation is planned for later in 2024. The Councils website page will continue to be updated as the Plan progresses.
Neighbourhood Plans
There are also a number of made Neighbourhood Plans in Bedfordshire. These form an integral part of the statutory development plan and significant weight is attached to their policies in the determination of planning applications.
For further advice or to find out how your property fits into this framework for planning in Bedfordshire please contact us.
