Planning in Bedfordshire – updated July 2026

The Greensand Ridge offers sweeping vistas over the Forest of Marston Vale, a community forest in Bedfordshire. Once a brickmaking hub, the area now features lakes formed from old clay pits. The Rookery South Energy Recovery Facility processes waste and generates electricity. In addition Universal Studios is set to open its first European theme park in Bedfordshire, on the site of the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks beside the A421. Scheduled to open in 2031, this major development is expected to create around 28,000 jobs and bring significant economic benefits to the region. This will complement the picturesque views of Marston Vale, enhancing the area’s appeal to both locals and visitors.

Planning in Bedfordshire is administered by three unitary authorities: Borough of Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Borough of Luton, after Bedfordshire County Council was abolished in 2009.

The current Strategic Planning position in Bedfordshire is as follows:

Bedford Borough

The Local Plan 2030 was adopted in January 2020 and continues to form the statutory development plan for the Borough.

The Bedford Borough Allocations and Designations Local Plan adopted in July 2013, also remains part of the development plan where its policies remain consistent with national policy. A number of Supplementary Planning Documents also support decision-making and are available on the Council’s website.

Following the withdrawal of the Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 in October 2025, the Council has formally commenced preparation of a new Local Plan 2050. under the Government’s revised plan-making system. A Notice of Commencement was published in April 2026 and the Council is currently undertaking a Call for Sites, with submissions invited until 31 October 2026. The first public consultation on the scope and approach to the new Local Plan is scheduled for September–October 2026.

The Bedford Local Plan 2030 remains in force and continues to provide the statutory planning framework for the Borough. However, the Council’s latest published Five Year Supply of Deliverable Housing Sites Report demonstrates only a 3.35-year supply of deliverable housing land. As a result, the Borough is currently unable to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, increasing the likelihood that the presumption in favour of sustainable development may apply where relevant under national planning policy.

Central Bedfordshire 

The Central Bedfordshire Local Plan 2015–2035 was formally adopted in July 2021 and continues to provide the statutory development plan for the area. The adopted Local Plan is available on the Council’s website and carries full weight in the determination of planning applications.

The Council is now preparing a new Local Plan 2050 under the Government’s revised plan-making system. A Notice of Intention to Commence Plan Preparation and an updated Local Plan timetable were published in March 2026, with the first (Scoping) consultation completed in June 2026. The Council is currently consulting on submitted sites and the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Scoping Report during July and August 2026, ahead of a further consultation on the proposed Local Plan content and evidence in September–November 2026. Submission for independent examination remains programmed for June 2028, with adoption targeted for December 2028.

For more information visit our Local Plan Update page

Luton Borough 

The adopted Luton Local Plan (2011-31) remains the statutory development plan for the Borough setting out the vision, objectives and spatial planning strategy for the whole of Luton Borough Council’s area for the period up to 2031.  More details can be viewed here.

Luton Council has commenced preparation of a new Local Plan under the Government’s revised plan-making system. A Notice of Intention to Commence Plan Preparation and a Local Plan Timetable were published in May 2026, alongside the first Scoping Consultation and a Call for Sites, both running until 23 July 2026. Following consideration of the representations received, the Council will publish a summary of the consultation responses in October 2026 before progressing to consultation on the proposed Local Plan content and evidence in May–June 2027. The proposed Local Plan is programmed for publication in November 2027, ahead of submission for independent examination in June 2028 and adoption by December 2028.

Neighbourhood Plans

There are also a number of made Neighbourhood Plans in Bedfordshire.  These form an integral part of the statutory development plan and significant weight is attached to their policies in the determination of planning applications.

For further advice or to find out how your property fits into this framework for planning in Bedfordshire please contact us.