Bedford Borough
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2030 was adopted on 15 January 2020. In accordance with Policy 1, a review had to commence within a year of adoption. This review is now underway, and a Call for Sites and Issues and Options consultations closed on the 14 August and 4 September 2020 respectively.
The Local Development Scheme for Bedford Borough (February 2021) states that it has not been possible to complete all technical and evidence-based work in order to report to the Council’s Executive in March 2021 as planned. Instead, the report will be considered on 9 June 2021 with the Draft Plan consultation taking place in July-September 2021. At present, The Council has set out that this change to the timetable will not affect the submission of the plan by the deadline set out in the current adopted Local Plan of January 2023.
Policy 4S required some 2,350 homes to be delivered through NDP, progress of which is to be monitored annually. Except for Roxton, if a Neighbourhood Development Plan or Neighbourhood Development Order (Regulation 16) has not been submitted to the Council within a period of 12 months from adoption (January 2021), the Council will allocate additional sites under the LP review.
Central Bedfordshire
The emerging Local Plan was submitted for examination on 30 April 2018.
The inspector’s letter (dated 29 January 2021) commented on the latest additional hearings, which took place in December 2020, regarding specific sites and policies. Subject to the main modifications now under consultation, the inspectors appear confident that there is a way forward for the plan to be found sound. A public consultation on the Main Modifications commenced on 19 March 2021 and runs until 5 May 2021.
Should the Plan be found sound, adoption could be expected by September 2021. The original submission included the provision for a partial review within six months of adoption and the extent of an early review mechanism will be defined within the inspector’s final report this summer.
Luton
On 7 November 2017, Luton Borough Council adopted the Luton Local Plan (2011-2031).
Luton originally intended to progress a new Local Plan in 2019 with submission in 2021. At this point in time, no steps have been made to progress with this review.
