Online

We will endeavour to acknowledge your online representation within one working day. Please note, if you have not already registered, you must do so and login using a username and password to use this consultation service.

LDF online consultation system

Guidance notes on submitting and view representations online (PDF 137KB)

Agents notes on how to register multiple clients and make their representations (PDF 166KB)

Email: ldf@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk to request an electronic comment form.

Post: LDF Team North, Priory House, Chicksands, Shefford, Beds SG17 5TQ to request a paper comment form.

Tel: 0300 300 8307 to request a comment form.

You may be asked to comment on "Tests of Soundness"  These are a government requirement and the Council has produced a guidance note (PDF 28KB) to help you. If you need any assistance please contact the LDF Team.

When assessing the suitability of proposals in Development Plan Documents, the Council can only take into account matters that are valid planning considerations.

If comments are made that do not directly relate to valid planning matters, the Council will not be able to use these to influence decisions.

The main planning matters are:

• Amenity: impact on neighbours – overlooking, loss of daylight, overbearing impact, noise and disturbance, pollution.
• Highways: suitability of access, parking, manoeuvring space, effect of traffic generation
• Design: impact on building, site, street scene etc, visual impact - is it in keeping with the surrounding area?
• Policies: are there any government policies which are relevant?
• History: any previous permissions on the site or nearby

There are a few issues which can not be taken into account when commenting on a consultation:

• The personal circumstances of the applicant
• The intended user of the development – it is the use, not the user, which is important
• Whether the applicant or landowner is known / unknown, liked / disliked, trusted / not trusted, local / not local.
• The right to a view over another persons land (there is no such right in the planning considerations)
• Impact on property values

Your name and comments cannot be treated confidentially as they will be made available for public inspection during all consultation stages in the preparation of either Development Plan Documents or Supplementary Planning Documents, whichever you are commenting on. Your name and comments submitted to us by letter or using the online system will be made available to view on the online consultation system, once your comments have been logged and accepted.

However, your address and any other contact details you submit will only be used for the purposes of sending out correspondence to you in relation to LDF matters. We will not publish these details on the website or any other public place.

Central Bedfordshire Council ensures any personal data collected will be retained securely for as long as necessary, and only used for legitimate Council activities to facilitate the delivery of Council services, or for the purpose of preventing and/or detecting fraud and/or crime, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Data Protection Policy is available from the website at  or by writing to the Corporate Data Protection Officer at accesstoinfo@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

Central Bedfordshire Council will not accept representations, objections or comments that are deemed to be racist.  In general terms, a racist representation is one which includes words, phrases or comments which are likely:

• to be offensive to a particular racial or ethnic group
• to be racially abusive, insulting or threatening
• to apply pressure to discriminate on racial grounds
• to stir up racial hatred or contempt

Consultation starts: Monday, 20 May
Consultation closes: Monday, 1 July

How can I have my say?: To have your say on the draft plan, please visit our dedicated

Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan page.

Central Bedfordshire Council is seeking your views on our Draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan, which sets out how we will meet Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs in the area until 2031.

The plan specifies the number of Gypsy and Traveller pitches required and identifies potential sites to meet this need. It also outlines the policies against which all planning applications for Gypsy and Traveller sites will be assessed.

For more information on the draft plan and to comment on it, please visit our dedicated

Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan page.