The Council has begun work on a new local plan. The plan will set out how much growth is needed in the Borough in coming years (housing, jobs and associated infrastructure) and where it will take place. The recently adopted local plan looks ahead to 2030 and in line with Government policy this new local plan will extend the period that development is planned for beyond that date. Its main focus will be the allocation of new development sites to meet the Government’s growth targets but it may also be appropriate to update existing or add new policies to guide decisions on planning applications and to repurpose the town centre.
This is the first opportunity to help shape the new local plan. The purpose of this consultation is to gather comments about the range of subjects to be covered in the plan and where in the Borough new growth should be located. A consultation paper has been prepared to help you think about and comment on these issues.
If you want to have your say then this is the time to get involved. The deadline for submitting comments is 5pm on 4th September 2020.
You will find further information about the consultation below.
If you own or know of a piece of land that has development potential this is also the time to make the Council aware. You can do so by completing a site submission form. Again, more information on how to do that is given below. If you submitted a site in respect of the Local Plan 2030 please resubmit it so that we have the most up to date information and know that it is still available.
The deadline for submitting potential development sites is 5pm on 14th August 2020.
If you have any queries about this consultation please send an email to planningpolicy@bedford.gov.uk .
Regards
Gill Cowie
Manager for Planning and Housing Strategy
Planning Policy Team
Bedford Borough Council
* 4th Floor, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AP
‘ 01234 718070
All general planning information is available on our website: www.bedford.gov.uk/planning
However, if the information is not available online, you will need to complete a request for advice on our pre-application enquiry form and pay the appropriate fee. Full information of this service and the online enquiry form can be found via this link www.bedford.gov.uk/planningenquiries
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Have your say
For detailed information about the consultation please go to www.bedford.gov.uk/localplanreview
On this web page you will find:
- The consultation paper
- A summary leaflet (also to be delivered to all households in the Borough)
- Supporting documents
- Frequently Asked Questions that will be updated as the consultation progresses
- A short presentation about the consultation
- A link to respond to the consultation on-line
- A link to submit a potential development site on-line
- A response form to download
- A site submission form to download
Paper copies: If you can’t access the Council’s web site:
- Paper copies of the consultation paper are being provided to all parish and town councils
- You can read a paper copy by appointment in the Council’s Customer Service Centre, Horne Lane, Bedford MK40 1RA (call 01234 267422 to make an appointment)
- A paper copy will also be placed in local libraries if they re-open during the consultation period
If you have difficulty using the above methods to look at the consultation information please contact the Planning Policy team on 01234 718070 and we will be happy to help.
You can respond to the questions in the consultation paper by
- Completing the on-line questionnaire; the easiest and quickest way, at www.bedford.gov.uk/localplanreview
- Downloading the questionnaire, completing it and returning it attached to an email to planningforthefuture@bedford.gov.uk
- Completing a paper response form and sending it (with a stamp) to Planning Policy Team, Bedford Borough Council, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AP
- Please note that all comments received will be made public
If you have a query
Email your question to planningpolicy@bedford.gov.uk and we will email you back (please put ‘consultation question’ in the email title) or
- Call 01234 718300 where you can leave a brief message outlining your query and a number we can call you back on
You can submit details of a potential development site by
- Completing the on-line form; the easiest and quickest way, at www.bedford.gov.uk/localplanreview
- Downloading the site submission form and returning it attached to an email to planningforthefuture@bedford.gov.uk
- Sending a completed paper form (with a stamp) to the postal address above
Please do not submit your consultation response or site submission more than once – there is no need to send both electronically and in paper.