Central Bedfordshire Council has updated the timetable for preparing its new Local Plan following recent changes to national planning guidance. The revised process introduces several new stages in the preparation of Local Plans, including early consultation and formal “Gateway” reviews with the Planning Inspectorate.
Although the process has changed, the council is still aiming to adopt the new Local Plan by December 2028.
The Local Plan will guide housing, employment and infrastructure development across Central Bedfordshire over the coming years.
Central Bedfordshire Local Plan timetable and update (2026–2028)
The government has introduced a new approach to plan-making which requires local authorities to complete a number of additional steps before the first formal consultation on a Local Plan. As a result, Central Bedfordshire Council has reviewed and updated its Local Plan timetable to ensure it aligns with the new national guidance.
This means the consultation stages previously expected under the traditional system (such as the Regulation 18 consultation) have been replaced by a different sequence of engagement and review stages.
The council has already begun preparing the evidence base to support the Local Plan, and the updated timetable includes time that had already been built in to allow for changes to the planning system.
Call for Sites and site assessments
Central Bedfordshire Council previously undertook a Call for Sites exercise between November 2024 and January 2025. This invited landowners, developers and other stakeholders to submit land for consideration as part of the Local Plan review.
The council received a significant number of site submissions which are now being assessed through the Strategic Land Availability Assessment (SLAA) process. This assessment considers whether sites are suitable, available and achievable for development.
The results of these assessments will inform the emerging Local Plan and help identify potential locations for housing, employment and other development across Central Bedfordshire.
It is important to note that inclusion of a site in the Call for Sites process or the SLAA does not mean that the site will necessarily be allocated for development in the Local Plan.
Potential site allocations are expected to be published as part of the second formal consultation on the draft Local Plan in late 2027.
Updated Local Plan timetable
The key stages in preparing the new Central Bedfordshire Local Plan are expected to be:
March 2026
Publication of a “Notice to Commence Plan Making”, formally notifying communities and stakeholders that preparation of the Local Plan has begun.
May 2026 – Scoping consultation
Early engagement with residents, businesses and other stakeholders to confirm whether previously identified planning issues and priorities remain relevant.
August 2026 – Gateway 1
A self-assessment stage confirming that the timetable, consultation, notice and project plan are in place. From this point, the council will have 30 months to prepare and adopt the Local Plan.
October to November 2026 – First formal consultation (6 weeks)
Consultation on the emerging Local Plan, including the proposed vision, objectives and the key planning policy areas that the plan will address.
March to April 2027 – Gateway 2
A formal review with a planning inspector to ensure the emerging Local Plan and supporting evidence align with national planning policy and guidance.
November to December 2027 – Second formal consultation (8 weeks)
Consultation on the final draft version of the Local Plan, including proposed site allocations for housing, employment and other development.
April to May 2028 – Gateway 3
An external assessment to confirm that the plan meets planning regulations and the “tests of soundness” before it can be formally submitted for examination.
June 2028 – Submission
The Local Plan will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination.
June to November 2028 – Examination
A planning inspector will conduct an independent examination of the Local Plan.
December 2028 – Adoption
The council aims to formally adopt the new Local Plan, which will then become the statutory development plan for Central Bedfordshire.
What this means for landowners, developers and residents
The updated timetable provides a clearer framework for the preparation of the new Local Plan and introduces earlier opportunities for engagement with communities and stakeholders.
The first formal opportunity to comment on the emerging Local Plan is expected to take place in October–November 2026. Further consultation will follow in late 2027 when the final draft plan, including site allocations, is published.
If you are promoting land for development in Central Bedfordshire and would like advice on the Local Plan process or site promotion strategy, please contact us.
We will continue to monitor progress on the preparation of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan and provide further updates as the process moves forward.
