Creating great places to live - new Local Plan

The Local Plan is an important document for us as it sets out our vision and framework for the future development of the area.

We need to plan carefully for the homes and jobs we need to provide to make sure they are built in the right place, with the necessary facilities and services, while protecting the environment as much as possible.

Without a Local Plan development will still happen, and it is more likely to be in locations that we would consider unsuitable. A Local Plan still means development, but we’ll have more say over where, and how, it happens.

We are currently preparing a new Local Plan that will set out how Central Bedfordshire will grow, up to 2050. Preparing a Local Plan takes a long time, and we expect to have it in place in 2028. Before then, there will be opportunities to have your say on the proposals. The next opportunity will be in February 2026, when we publish our ‘issues and options’ consultation document.

You can sign up to our mailing list to stay up to date with the Local Plan as we’re preparing it, and be informed about any public consultations on the proposals.

Sign up for our Local Plan mailing list

View the Local Plan timetable

Find out more about the Call for Sites

Several evidence studies will be prepared that will help shape the content of the Local Plan and work has already started on a number of studies:

Strategic flood risk assessment, or SFRA (stage 1) that brings together information on all known sources of flooding that may affect existing places and future development in Central Bedfordshire (e.g. river, surface water, sewers and groundwater). The study is supported by interactive mapping that shows the location of areas of flood risk.

Stage 2 assessment will be prepared in the future to assess sites that are selected for development.

Update to our landscape character assessment that identifies and describes the unique features that make the different landscapes in Central Bedfordshire distinct from one another.

Housing and economic needs assessment that will set our housing and job numbers and identify the types of homes and jobs that we should be providing up to 2050.

Gypsy and Traveller accommodation assessment that will set the housing requirements for Gypsy and Traveller pitches and travelling showpeople plots up to 2050.

Grid capacity study that will assess the current capacity of the electricity network in Central Bedfordshire at a high level.

Green belt study that will assess the green belt in accordance with national planning policy and identify land that falls into the category of grey belt.

Water cycle study (stage 1) that will look at water supply and the capacity of wastewater infrastructure.

Settlement audit using input from town and parish councils to compile a list of all the infrastructure, services and facilities that we currently have in our towns and villages.

Settlement envelope review that will review the current boundaries and identify where changes are required.

Local green space study that will identify green spaces to protect within our towns and villages that are important to the community. A sustainability appraisal that is prepared alongside the Local Plan and assesses the issues and effects of the plan as it develops. It helps to refine the plan to make sure it maximises sustainability and avoids adverse effects.

Further studies will be undertaken and published as part of the formal consultation on the Local Plan at Regulation 18 and Regulation 19 stages.

We’ve prepared 3 reports that provide a summary the feedback we received through the early engagement during 2024:

• Ward Member Workshops Feedback Report (PDF)
• Town and Parish Council Workshops Feedback Report (PDF)
• Local Plan Launch Feedback Report (PDF)