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In 2021, the eight former councils in Northamptonshire were abolished and replaced by two new unitary authorities: North Northamptonshire Council – covering Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby, and East Northamptonshire. West Northamptonshire Council – covering Daventry, Northampton, and South Northamptonshire. Current Local Plans in Northamptonshire include: North Northamptonshire The current Local Plan for North Northamptonshire includes the Joint Core Strategy and supporting area-based plans. The Joint [...]

Suffolk County Council are responsible for planning for minerals, waste, and county council developments such as schools and fire stations. Current Local Plans in Suffolk include: Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council Part 1 of the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Local Plan was adopted by Mid Suffolk District Council and Babergh District Council in November 2023. A live online Policies Map supports the [...]

Cambridgeshire is covered by several separate planning authorities, each with its own adopted and emerging Local Plan. This update summarises the current position across Peterborough, Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire, East Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Fenland, including forthcoming consultations and changes arising from local government reorganisation. All seven councils were invited to submit Local Government Reorganisation proposals in February 2025, with final submissions made in November 2025. [...]

Planning in Buckinghamshire offers great opportunities due to its location with Greater London to the south-east, Berkshire to the south, Oxfordshire to the west, Northamptonshire to the north, Bedfordshire to the north-east and Hertfordshire to the east, together with its position in the Oxford  Cambridge (OxCam) Arc. Buckinghamshire is one of the home counties with towns such as High Wycombe, Amersham, Chesham and the [...]

Bedford Borough is preparing a new Local Plan 2050 under the revised plan-led system introduced through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act and associated regulations. The new plan will provide a comprehensive, long-term framework to guide development across the borough to 2050. Key dates and milestones The approved timetable sets out a structured programme of plan preparation: June/July – October 2026 – Call for [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Hertfordshire County Council is currently responsible for planning for waste, minerals (primarily sand and gravel extraction) and for services it provides, including schools, libraries and highways. The Government has now confirmed that Hertfordshire will be reorganised into four unitary authorities, replacing the current two-tier system of Hertfordshire County Council and the ten district and borough councils. The new authorities are expected to come into [...]

Q2 2026 has seen continued political change at both national and local levels, with the May local elections contributing to a more fragmented political landscape across parts of England. Alongside ongoing local government reorganisation and devolution proposals, this has the potential to influence planning priorities in some areas. Despite this, the Government has maintained its focus on housing delivery, infrastructure investment and planning reform. [...]

During Q1 of 2026, the pace of planning reform has continued to accelerate. The Government’s commitment to boosting housing delivery and unlocking major infrastructure remains firmly at the forefront of the agenda. In this update, we reflect on progress over the first quarter of the year—reviewing national planning updates under the new system, tracking key National Infrastructure projects entering examination, and highlighting appeal decisions [...]