Policy information sourced from the Central Befordshire Local Plan

EMP5: Significant Facilities in the Countryside and Green Belt

The significant facilities in the countryside and Green Belt, as identified on the Policies Maps, are:

  • Cranfield University (including the area formerly known as Cranfield University Technology Park and Cranfield Airport (excluding the Airpark);
  • Rookery South Resource Recovery Facility (RSRRF);
  • Shuttleworth College and Shuttleworth Collection ;
  • Millbrook Proving Ground;
  • RSPB, Sandy;
  • DISC Chicksands;
  • RAF Henlow;
  • ZSL Whipsnade;
  • Woburn Safari Park;
  • Center Parcs;
  • Toddington Motorway Services Area;
  • Faldo Road Industrial Estate, Barton-le-Clay;
  • Tempsford Hall; and
  • Lockheed Martin, Ampthill.

Planning permission will be granted for expansion, infilling or redevelopment of, significant facilities provided that the expansion, infilling or redevelopment is within the boundaries of the existing use, relates to that use and enhances the contribution to the local or national economy.

Significant expansion of existing facilities into the open countryside will be subject to the production of a Development Brief or masterplan prior to any application which will ultimately need to be endorsed by the Council. Within the Green Belt, the expansion of existing facilities will only be considered where proposals are consistent with National Policy.

All proposals for significant development at these facilities will be assessed on an individual basis and in accordance with other relevant policies within the Plan, including, but not limited to:

  1. Impact on the open countryside and any heritage assets;
  2. Provision of sustainable transport;
  3. Justification; and
  4. Scale, layout and design – which must be appropriate to the establishment and its setting.

Planning applications that are considered acceptable against these criteria and all other relevant plan policies, will be considered favourably.

In the future, major new sites may emerge in Central Bedfordshire. Any new major facilities with a similar level of importance in terms of employment or research once built, including Cranfield Airpark, will be considered under this policy as well as other relevant policies within the Plan. Where a Development Brief or masterplan for a facility identified above has already been produced and endorsed by the Council, this should be a material consideration for future planning decisions.

For more information, please visit the Central Befordshire Local Plan