The government has published legislation and guidance that requires all local authorities to adjust the way they prepare Local Plans. This means we’ve had to review and replace our original plan‑making timetable (known as the Local Development Scheme) to ensure we meet the new legal requirements.
We are not starting the Local Plan again. Work is well underway and significant progress has been made. Although the new legislation introduces some new steps, our overall timetable still aims for adoption of the plan by December 2028.
The new timetable formally replaces our Local Development Scheme and does not relate to the Minerals and Waste Local Plan, which will have its own separate timetable.
Below is the current timetable for preparing the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan 2050, which will cover the administrative area of Central Bedfordshire. This timetable may be updated as the plan progresses.
This timetable takes effect from 26 March 2026.
Timetable published 26 March 2026
Publish ‘Notice of intention to commence Local Plan preparation’
When: 26 March 2026
Publishing the notice of intention to commence Local Plan preparation is a new requirement. It gives communities and stakeholders advance notice of plan‑making and sets out when and how they can get involved. The notice must be published at least 4 months before Gateway 1.
Start of first formal consultation (notice of scoping consultation)
When: 6 May 2026 (4 weeks)
This is a new requirement, but similar to the engagement we’ve already done. We will use this consultation to check that what we’ve heard from communities and stakeholders is still relevant.
Date when representations to the scoping consultation must be received
When: 3 June 2026
All comments (representations) on the scoping consultation must be received on or before this date.
Consultation on submitted sites
When: 1 July 2026 (4 weeks)
An opportunity for residents, town and parish councils, councillors and stakeholders to comment on sites submitted through our call for sites. This is not a formal consultation required by legislation.
Date when comments on the submitted sites must be received
When: 29 July 2026
All comments on the submitted sites must be received on or before this date.
Gateway 1 (publication of self‑assessment summary)
When: 26 August 2026
This new requirement is a self‑assessment summary confirming that we have published the timetable and notice, completed the scoping consultation, and have a project plan in place to begin the formal stage of preparing the Local Plan. Once we complete Gateway 1, we have 30 months to prepare and adopt the plan.
Start of second formal consultation (proposed Local Plan content and evidence consultation)
When: 30 September 2026 (6 weeks)
This second formal consultation sets out the proposed vision, aims and objectives, and a summary of the policy topics the plan will cover. We will also publish a summary of the evidence proposed to support the plan.
Date when representations to the proposed Local Plan content and evidence consultation must be received
When: 11 November 2026
All comments (representations) on the proposed Local Plan content and evidence consultation must be received on or before this date.
Gateway 2
When: 31 March 2027
This new requirement is a formal method of obtaining feedback from a planning inspector on the draft plan and supporting evidence, ensuring our approach aligns with national policy, guidance and legislation.
Third formal consultation (proposed Local Plan consultation)
When: 27 October 2027 (8 weeks)
This 8‑week consultation is on the final version of the plan and includes the proposed site allocations.
Date when representations on the proposed Local Plan consultation must be received
When: 22 December 2027
All comments (representations) on the proposed Local Plan consultation must be received on or before this date.
Gateway 3
When: 5 April 2028
This new requirement is a final check by an external assessor to confirm the plan meets planning regulations and the tests of soundness, before formally submitting it for Examination.
Submission of the proposed Local Plan to the Secretary of State for independent Examination
When: 1 June 2028
The proposed Local Plan must be submitted for an independent Examination carried out by a Planning Inspector. The Examination should last no longer than 6 months.
Consideration of adoption of the proposed Local Plan
When: 28 December 2028
Consideration of adopting the proposed Local Plan as the development plan for Central Bedfordshire.