Planning in Bedfordshire – updated September 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 Destinations & Experiences is developing its first Universal-branded theme park and resort in Europe on the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks site beside the A421. Works commenced in 2026, with opening planned for 2031. The development is expected to support around 20,000 construction jobs and 8,000 permanent jobs and generate substantial economic benefits for Bedfordshire and the wider region.

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Local Plan adopted in July 2013, also remains part of the development plan insofar as its policies have not been superseded by the Local Plan 2030. 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. A Notice of Commencement was published in April 2026 and the Council is currently undertaking a Call for Sites and Development Opportunities, with submissions invited until Friday 20 November 2026. The Council is also due to undertake its first public consultation on the scope and early direction of the new Local Plan before the end of 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. The Borough is therefore currently unable to demonstrate the five-year supply required by national planning policy. For applications involving the provision of housing, this engages the presumption in favour of sustainable development set out in the NPPF, subject to the other provisions of the Framework.

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 was published in March 2026 and the initial Scoping Consultation was completed in June 2026. A subsequent consultation on sites submitted for possible inclusion in the new Local Plan closed on 17 August 2026, attracting more than 30,000 responses.

The Council is due to complete Gateway 1 in October 2026, followed by consultation on the proposed Local Plan content and evidence between 30 November 2026 and 18 January 2027. Consultation on the proposed Local Plan, including proposed site allocations, is scheduled for October–December 2027. Submission for independent examination is 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 (2011-2031) 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. The first Scoping Consultation and Call for Sites closed on 23 July 2026 and the Council is now considering the representations received. A summary of the consultation responses is expected to be published in October 2026, with Gateway 1 scheduled for 22 October 2026. Consultation on the proposed Local Plan content and evidence is then programmed for May–June 2027, followed by publication of the proposed Local Plan in November 2027. Submission for independent examination is scheduled for June 2028, with adoption targeted for December 2028.

Neighbourhood Plans

There are a number of made Neighbourhood Plans across Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire. These form part of the statutory development plan for their respective areas and their policies are taken into account in the determination of planning applications.

There are currently no made Neighbourhood Plans or designated Neighbourhood Forums within Luton Borough.

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