What is an LDF and how does the Site Allocations Document fit in with this?
Why is there a consultation on the Draft Submission Site Allocations document?
How long will the consultation last?
Where can I view the documents?
How can I get involved?
What will happen to my comments?
What previous consultation has taken place?
Where can I view the results of the issues and options consultation?
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 and the landscap are not harmed by development?
What about the Green Belt?
What happens to sites that already have planning permission?
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 Draft Submission Site Allocations document?
Before the Council submits the Draft Site Allocations document to the Secretary of State, we must publish and make available the documents we propose to submit in order for representations to be made.
How long will the consultation last?
The consultation commences on the 25th January 2010 for a period of six weeks, ending on the 8th March.
Where can I view the documents?
The Draft Submission Site Allocations documents are available to view and download from the Talk to Central Bedfordshire website www.talktocentralbedfordshire.co.uk Alternatively, copies of the document are available to view at the Central Bedfordshire Council Offices and Customer Service Centres (opening times from 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30am to 4:30pm Friday) and local libraries (opening times vary). To request a copy please contact the LDF North Team by email ldf@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 8000.
You can comment on the document through the ‘Have Your Say’ icon on this website or through the LDF North pages of the Council’s website http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/ldf/ldf-north-area/rural-area-ldf-consultation-disclaimer.aspx Paper copies of the response form are available from the Central Bedfordshire Council Offices and Customer Service Centres, and local libraries. Alternatively please contact the LDF North Team by email ldf@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 8000.
What will happen to my comments?
Your comments will be collated by the Council and submitted to the Planning Inspector responsible for conducting the Public Examination. He/she will consider the comments made and will use them to determine whether the submitted document is ‘sound’. To be sound the document must be justified, effective and consistent with national planning policy. The Council have produced a guidance note explaining these tests of soundness, which is available to view here.
The Planning Inspectorate have produced guidance on the examination of Development Plan Documents, and this is available to view on their website http://www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk/pins/appeals/local_dev/dpd/brief_guide_examining_dpd.pdf
What previous consultation has taken place?
In April 2008 the Council conducted the first Issues and Options consultation upon 400 potential development sites that had been submitted for consideration by developers and landowners. Over 10,700 responses were received. During this process approximately 70 additional sites and proposals were also put forward by developers/landowners. The Council carried out a second round of consultation in July 2008 on these additional sites. No other sites can now be suggested as part of this process.
To determine the most suitable housing and mixed-use sites for development, the Council developed a set of assessment criteria, based on sustainability factors such as the provision of infrastructure, transport and movement and landscape. The criteria was published for consultation between 1st and 23rd September 2009 for residents and other stakeholders to identify the issues which were of highest priority, and this helped apply appropriate weighting. Further information on the site assessment process can be viewed in the Site Allocations Technical Document.
The comments made at all stages of consultation have been used to inform the Draft Submission Site Allocations document.
Where can I view the results of the issues and options consultation?
A consultation report setting out the results of both rounds of Issues and Options consultation has been produced and is available on the www.talktocentralbedfordshire.co.uk website.
How has the process been publicised?
Those that asked to be kept informed of the process during the first rounds of the consultation in 2008, will have received an email or letter notifying them that the Draft Submission Site Allocations documents have been published for consultation. Additionally, notices have been put in local newspapers across Central Bedfordshire and information has been included in the Council’s regular magazine, News Central. Furthermore, all Town and Parish council’s have been informed.
How many new houses are set to be built?
Government targets stipulate that northern 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?
There is a target to create 17,000 new jobs by 2026 in northern Central Bedfordshire. 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 were received during the first round and second rounds of consultation and approximately 50 sites have been selected for development.
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 and the landscape 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 Issues and Options consultation because, although it is unlikely, circumstances could have changed and the Council needed to know local views on development of these sites..
What happens to sites that already have planning permission?
Sites that have already been granted planning permission are unaffected by the site allocations process.
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 brought in a team of consultation experts to assist with the process.