Interactive map shows Central Bedfordshire sites near you that could be earmarked for development
Central Bedfordshire Council has released an interactive map showing sites across the area that could be development.
A total of 626 were put forward for uses including housing, commercial, renewable energy and green spaces after the council put out a call for sites.
But 174 sites have already been discounted for residential use following an initial assessment – for reasons including being too small, because they contain land where there is a legal or landowner impediment to development or because they are either not well-connected to an existing settlement or not large enough to deliver a new settlement within their own infrastructure.
All remaining sites will now go through what Central Bedfordshire Council describes as ‘a rigorous assessment process’ to determine whether they can be considered for future development – and it wants you to share your views.
As part of this assessment process, factors including their proximity to existing facilities, flood risk, impact on the environment and heritage assets, accessibility and land ownership will be examined.
A judgement will then be made on whether each site can be considered “suitable, available and achievable in line with national planning policies.”
Alongside the assessment process, a public consultation on the sites is taking place, which is open until August 17. You can have your say at https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/local-plan-sites
Cllr Adam Zerny, leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “The forthcoming Local Plan needs to be about residents telling the council where future housing should go.
"Of course some of the land put forward by developers might be completely unsuitable, so it's important the public has its say and highlights the potential issues with some of these locations.
“The more people who take part, the better, as this will allow the council to make more informed decisions, taking into account public views alongside technical assessment.”
Central Bedfordshire Council is also consulting on the Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report, a technical document that helps set out the issues that will need to be considered to assess the potential environmental impacts of the plan, with this consultation open until July 20.
The new Local Plan is set to help shape how Central Bedfordshire grows up to 2050 and will set out how the area can meet future needs for homes, jobs and infrastructure.