What is an LDF and how does the Site Allocations Document fit in with this?
Why is there a consultation on the criteria for choosing development sites?
How long will the consultation last?
How will people be able to take part?
Why has a second round of site allocations issues and options consultation taken place?
How long did the consultation last?
How has the process been publicised?
How many new houses are set to be built?
How many new jobs are set to be created?
How many sites will be taken forward?
Where is development most likely to be concentrated?
How will local infrastructure be improved?
How will Central Bedfordshire make sure that important wildlife areas are not harmed by development?
What about the Green Belt?
What happens to sites that already have planning permission?
Where can I view the results of the issues and options consultation?
Who were the team that assisted Central Bedfordshire with the issues and options consultation process?
What is an LDF and how does the Site Allocations Document fit in with this?
The Local Development Framework (LDF) was introduced in 2005 as a new way of controlling and planning future development, protecting the environment and helping to manage the local economy. It replaces the Local Plan as the way councils manage local development and where it can be located. It is made up of a collection of Development Plan Documents (DPDs) and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs). The Site Allocations Document is one of these DPDs. Please click here for more information regarding Central Bedfordshire LDF.
Why is there a consultation on the criteria for choosing development sites?
Following the submission of over 400 submission sites, there needs to be an approach for choosing the most appropriate for future development. Each site will be assessed against a range of sustainability criteria. We want local people to tell us what should be taken into account when selecting one potential future housing site for development over another. It is very important for us to have local people give their views on these criteria so we understand what is important to them and help us make the tough decisions about where future development should be. Once this is done, a portfolio of 'preferred sites’ will be put for public consultation.
How long will the criteria consultation last?
This consultation is not part of a statutory requirement. The consultation period will start from 1st September and run until 23rd September 2009.
How will people be able to take part?
You can access the consultation questionnaire via the www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk website or the ‘talktocentralbedfordshire” website. If you are unable to access the internet, documents are available at the Customer Service Centre.
Why did a second round of site allocations issues and options consultation take place?
In April 2008 over 10,700 responses were received on future development in the area, commenting upon 400 potential development sites that had been submitted for consideration by developers and landowners. During this process approximately 70 additional sites and proposals spread throughout Central Bedfordshire were also put forward by developers/landowners. Therefore the Council will need carry out a further round of consultation on these additional sites. No other sites can now be suggested as part of this process.
These sites are not the Council’s preferred sites but are new sites submitted by landowners/developers for consultation. Only around 40-50 (depending on site size) will eventually be allocated for development and these preferred sites will be published for consultation early next year.
The consultation ran until August 2008 and the results have been added to those already received to produce a final report, which is available online. Using these comments a list of preferred options for development will then be put forward and consulted on by the end of 2009.
How long did the consultation last?
The consultation period lasted for six weeks starting on the 7th July with the launch of the additional sites and proposals on the website, and ran until 19th August.
How has the process been publicised?
Those that asked to be kept informed of the process during the first round of the consultation earlier in 2008 received an email or letter notifying them that additional sites and proposals were being consulted on. Additionally, notices were put in local newspapers across the Central Bedfordshire and adverts run on local radio, while Central Bedfordshire Council also included information in its regular magazine, Horizon. Furthermore, Parish council’s were informed and posters and information sent out to local shops and local venues.
As during the first round, the dedicated consultation website www.talktocentralbedfordshire.co.uk contained detailed information about each of the newly submitted sites in each parish. Details about sites submitted in the first round can also be found on the appropriate parish page on the website.
How many new houses are set to be built?
Government targets stipulate that Central Bedfordshire must build 5,000 new homes between now and 2026.
These new homes make up the balance of the Government’s overall target to provide 17,950 new homes in this part of Central Bedfordshire between 2001 and 2026; almost 13,000 of which have already been built or have gained planning permission.
How many new jobs are set to be created?
Central Bedfordshire Council has a target to create 17,000 new jobs by 2026. This means we will need to develop approximately 77 hectares of land for employment use.
How many sites will be taken forward?
The number of sites that have been submitted far exceeds the number of sites that Central Bedfordshire need to be developed to meet government housing and employment targets.
Around 440 site submissions have now been received during the first round and second round of consultation. But Central Bedfordshire only needs to find space for 5,000.
We therefore anticipate that only a small number of sites (perhaps 50-70 depending on size) will eventually be brought forward for development.
Where is development most likely to be concentrated?
Over half ( over 60%) of development will be concentrated around Ampthill, Flitwick, Biggleswade and Sandy – the major service centres. 30% will be divided between Cranfield, Marston Moretaine, Shefford, Arlesey, Stotfold and Potton - the minor service centres. The remaining development will take place in villages.
How will local infrastructure be improved?
Alongside creating new homes and jobs it is essential that local infrastructure such as roads, schools, and public transport provision is improved to cope with increased demand.
One way to raise funds for improving local infrastructure is to secure them from property developers as part of the development agreement. This is referred to as a Section 106 agreement.
Central Bedfordshire Council has had great success negotiating these agreements in the past. For example, a major recent development east of Biggleswade contributed over £30 million towards a variety of transport improvements, affordable housing, open space and play areas, and a community centre. Funding was also provided to improve health and education provisions
At a recent smaller development in Stotfold, contributions totalling around £225,000 were secured. These will go towards education provision, open space and play areas and local environmental enhancements.
Additionally, Central Bedfordshire Council has recently finalised its strategy on Planning Obligations which could lead to contributions from developers of over £15,000 per dwelling.
How will Central Bedfordshire make sure that important wildlife areas are not harmed by development?
The most important wildlife areas in Central Bedfordshire are designated and protected. The Council will not be allocating development on these sites. If a site is not formally designated it is more difficult to prevent development but mitigation may be possible where habitat creation or enhancement takes place on site or nearby.
The Central Bedfordshire Council’s Core Strategy currently states that no development will be allocated in the Green Belt. However, some sites in the Green Belt were submitted for consideration. These sites were included in the consultation because, although it is unlikely, circumstances may change and Central Bedfordshire need to know local views on development of these sites.
The Council will seek to ensure that any sites allocated are within or on the edge of existing towns and villages and have as little impact on the landscape as possible.
What happens to sites that already have planning permission?
Sites that have already been granted planning permission are unaffected by the site allocations process.
If you still have a query please don’t hesitate to call Tamsin Cowley or Jon Mulligan at Vision Twentyone 0845 230 0139 (calls charged at local rate).
Where can I view the results of the issues and options consultation?
A consultation report setting out the results of both rounds of consultation has been produced and is available via the www.talktocentralbedfordshire.co.uk website.
Who were the team that assisted Central Bedfordshire with the issues and options consultation process?
This is the most far reaching consultation ever under taken by Central Bedfordshire Council and so we have brought in a team of consultation experts to assist with the process. Vision Twentyone have extensive experience of managing large-scale public consultation projects.
They have conducted rural and urban-based projects for a number of public sector clients including local authorities and NHS Trusts and recently conducted a large-scale public consultation with farmers and landowners in North West England as well as doing all the consultation work around the re-development of the former MG Rover site in Birmingham.
Vision Twentyone has won several awards including the Duke of Westminster award for ‘Most innovative company in the North West’ and a British Urban Regeneration Association best practice award.
Tamsin Cowley from Vision Twentyone is the Project Manager for the Issues and Options Site Allocations consultation. She can be contacted on 0845 230 0139 (calls charged at local rates).