We want a Local Plan that reflects the views of our residents, and last summer we heard from thousands of residents about what is important to them in creating great places to live.
Access to outstanding green spaces and protecting existing spaces were high in everyone’s priorities and we are taking an approach which maximises every opportunity to provide more high-quality green space and protect existing green spaces too.
Because we know how important it is to our residents, we are looking to use the new Local Plan to protect important green spaces. This is not something we have to do; it is something we are choosing to build into the new plan.
What is a Local Green Space?
Local Green Space (LGS) is an area of green land that is given special protection through our Local Plan or neighbourhood plan because it is particularly valued by the local community. Examples of Local Green Spaces could include:
- village greens and playing fields
- parks, playgrounds, or community gardens
- areas with wildlife or biodiversity value
- woodlands, riversides, or tranquil spaces
- green areas of historic or cultural significance
To be designated as Local Green Space, land needs to meet very specific criteria – set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (PDF, paragraph 107):
- close to the community it serves – we have defined this as being within 1km of the nearest home
- local in character, and not an extensive tract of land – we have defined this as being less than 10 hectares in size
- demonstrably special to local people for its beauty, historic significance, recreational value, tranquillity, or biodiversity
- land that is already allocated in the adopted Local Plan or has planning permission for development cannot be designated
Local Green Spaces have already been designated in some places in Central Bedfordshire through neighbourhood plans. However, designating them through the Local Plan provides an opportunity for local communities in all towns and parishes across Central Bedfordshire, not just those with a current neighbourhood plan, to protect green areas that are of particular importance to them.
How to submit a Local Green Space site
We are working with town and parish councils to identify possible land that could be designated as Local Green Spaces (LGS) in the new Local Plan.
In order to submit land, evidence needs to be provided to support the submission that clearly demonstrates why the land is important to the community and how it meets the criteria set out in national policy. Without this, it’s unlikely that we would be able to assess it properly and designate it. Town and parish councils are best placed to do this. If you want to suggest land, please contact your town or parish council.
Land will need to be submitted through our online consultation platform by the 28 November 2025.
Submit land through our online consultation platform
Local Green Spaces have already been identified through a neighbourhood plan in my area. Can I suggest other/new green spaces through the Local Plan?
Yes, we can consider new green spaces. However, we will not be able to consider land that has already been assessed through a Neighbourhood Plan, unless something has changed.
What is the process and timescales for designating Local Green Spaces?
We will assess all the land that has been submitted to us against the criteria set out in the National Planning Policy Framework between December 2025 and March 2026.
We will publish the sites that we have identified as Local Green Spaces to provide the opportunity for comments from residents and landowners. This is likely to be in summer 2026.
Do I need to own the land to be able to put it forward?
No, any green spaces that meet the criteria can be put forward for us to consider. Once we have assessed each of the sites, we will write to the landowners of any land that we think should be designated as Local Green Space to allow them the opportunity to share their views.