Policy information sourced from the Central Befordshire Local Plan

SP1: Growth Strategy

A minimum of 39,350 homes, and approximately 24,000 new jobs will be delivered in Central Bedfordshire over the period 2015 to 2035. Of the 39,350 homes, this includes around 27,696 homes which are already planned for or built, as well as 7,350 homes to be delivered by 2031 to meet unmet housing need arising from Luton.

In order to accommodate the growth required up to 2035 in a sustainable and controlled manner, growth will be distributed throughout Central Bedfordshire, including on land currently designated as Green Belt. Green Belt boundaries will be redrawn for a small number of sites where a strong case can be made that they meet the exceptional circumstances tests for removal and allocation for housing.

  1. New homes and jobs will be delivered via a combination of strategic and small - medium scale allocations throughout Central Bedfordshire. Strategic allocations will be made at the following locations*:
    • North of Luton (Town Extension) - approximately 3,600 homes and 7ha employment land
    • Sundon Rail Freight Interchange (RFI) (Strategic Employment Area) - 45ha
    • Marston Valley (New Villages) - 5,000 homes and 30ha employment land
    • Marston Gate (Strategic Employment Area) - 35 ha
    • East of Arlesey (Town Extension) - 2,000 homes
    • East of Biggleswade (New Village) - 1,500 homes and 2ha employment land
    • Holme Farm, Biggleswade (Employment Area) - 78ha, including approximately 25ha of mixed B2, B8 and E(g) uses and 38ha of B8 strategic floorspace.
  2. In addition, the unmet housing needs of 7,350 homes arising from Luton will be delivered by 2031 through a combination of the following sites:
    • (SC1) North Houghton Regis (1&2)
    • (SA1) North of Luton
    • (HAS05) Land East of Barton le Clay
    • (HAS07) Caddington Park, Caddington
    • (HAS14) Land off Eaton Park
    • (HAS17) Land South West of Steppingley Road, Flitwick
    • (HAS18) Site adj. to Flitwick Garden Allotments off Steppingley Road
    • (HAS19) Land at Upper Gravenhurst/The Pyghtle
    • (HAS20) Land West of the Midland Mainline Railway, Harlington
    • (HAS21) Land West of Sundon Road, Harlington
    • (HAS25) Land at Leighton Road, Hockliffe
    • (HAS26) A5 Watling Street, Hockliffe
    • (HAS28) Bidwell Gospel Hall (Dell Mount)
    • (HAS29) Land to the East of Houghton Regis
    • (HAS38) Land fronting Silsoe Road, Maulden
    • (HAS49) Land East of Leighton Road, Toddington
    • (HAS50) Alma Farm, Toddington.
    • (HAS51) Land off Flitwick Road, Westoning
    • (HAS52) West View Farm, Westoning

Development will also be brought forward through medium and small-scale extensions to villages and towns throughout Central Bedfordshire (as identified in Policy HA1) and through Neighbourhood Plans.

Planning applications for piecemeal development that prejudices the delivery of allocations set out in this policy will be refused.

* Some strategic sites are expected to deliver beyond the plan period, with 3,100 homes expected to be delivered by 2035 for the North of Luton site, 3,125 homes expected to be delivered by 2035 for the Marston Vale New Villages site, and 1,300 homes expected to be delivered by 2035 for the East of Arlesey site as shown by Table 7.2. Please note that all employment figures are gross and include any land areas for landscaping.

For more information, please visit the Central Befordshire Local Plan