Central Bedfordshire Local Plan update: proposed timetable for adoption released
Monday, 13 January 2020
We've been proactively preparing a work programme and detailed timetable for progressing the Local Plan to adoption, which was submitted to the Inspectors today.
This follows confirmation from the Planning Inspectors in November that we can continue to develop our current Local Plan.
The Inspectors had previously requested a timetable was provided alongside an update on the planning application for the M1-A6 road link, once permitted. In November, the Secretary of State confirmed it would not be calling in this application and the decision notice granting approval for the M1-A6 link road was issued yesterday (9 January). As such, the detailed Local Plan work programme, along with an update on the M1-A6 link road has now been sent to the Inspectors.
We've committed the resources required to deliver the additional work in a timely and efficient manner. As such, work has been progressing on resolving those issues raised by the Inspectors already, and the detailed timetable commits us to completing and submitting any new evidence required by the end of April.
The timetable allows for additional hearing sessions to be held at the start of the summer, which will allow for participants to make representations on the new evidence. Once finalised, following these hearings, any Modifications recommended to the plan will be subject to public consultation, with the aim of adopting the Local Plan by the end of the year.
Councillor Kevin Collins, Executive Member for Planning and Regeneration, said:
We remain as committed as ever to progressing the Local Plan and this is why we have proposed a timetable to the Planning Inspector that, if agreed, will see the Local Plan being adopted at the end of the year.
The Local Plan is one of our highest priorities because it will serve to both protect our communities against speculative development and ensure that we can build communities with the supporting jobs, infrastructures and services that make a Central Bedfordshire a great place to live.
We hope the Inspectors will agree to the timetable proposed, which maintains a robust and inclusive process, but which also seeks to progress the Local Plan to adoption without further delay.