Q4 2022 Planning Updates

Synopsis of key changes in 2022

Milton Keynes Local Plan

• Call for sites closed and will work through the assessment of each site
• The call for sites report is set to be published in Spring 2023

Central Bedfordshire Local Plan

• A review of the CBC Local plan has commenced as of August/September 2022
• Informal and non-statutory engagement and evidence review due to take place between January 2023 and January 2024

Bedford Borough Local Plan

• The Council are working through responses submitted following the consultation of the Local Plan
• The Local Plan is scheduled to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in January 2023

The Oxfordshire Plan 2050

• Oxfordshire’s district councils have confirmed that the 2050 Plan work programme will end
• Each district will produce their own individual Local Plan

South Oxfordshire Local Plan

• The expectation is to publish a Joint Local Plan ‘Preferred Options’ document in early 2023.

St Albans Local Plan

• St Albans City and District Council are experiencing delays due to staff shortages, the Regulation 18 Consultation has been pushed back and is due to take place July to September 2023. As a result, the council are working on a new draft local development scheme.

Northampton Local Plan

• The further main modifications consultation has now closed as of 19^th December 2022
• The Inspectors have suggested that the local plan will be sound subject to the main modifications being completed in line with the Inspectors previous comments.

East Northampton Local Plan

• Examination of the plan is still in progress; the council are to provide further work to the Inspector as part of the examination process.

Buckinghamshire Local Plan

• The Call for Sites has closed as of the 11^th September 2022, the sites submitted will now be considered and analysed before a Call for Sites report is issued.

Stevenage Local Plan

• The Stevenage Borough Local Plan will likely not be reviewed until 2024.

Dacorum Local Plan

• The Dacorum Local plan is currently undertaking the duty to co-operate and plan preparation stage until May 2023.

Welwyn Local Plan

• The Main Modifications have been approved by the Inspector and make the plan ‘sound’ as stated in the letter dated 8^th December 2022.
• WHBC are to provide the Inspector with a revised timetable for the undertaking of the remaining processes before the plan can be adopted.

Hertsmere Local Plan

• Hertsmere Local Plan still remains ‘shelved’

Watford Local Plan

• The Watford Local Plan has been adopted as of the 17^th October 2022.

North Herts District Local Plan

• The Norths Herts Local Plan 2011-2031 was adopted on 8^th November 2022.

Luton

• Luton Borough Council remain in the early stages of the review of the Local Plan.

Q4 2022 Planning Updates

Kirkby Diamond’s Planning and Development Team specialises in providing tailored advice and representation to landowners and developers at any and all points throughout the entire planning and development process.

Established since the partnership started in 1980, the department now enjoys an extensive client base of landowners, developers, family trusts and public sector clients, along with an unrivalled reputation throughout
Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire for client focus and the drive to ensure timely completion of the deal. In any circumstance, the optimisation of your land or development is assured. Whether you are a landowner or developer with interest in a small or extensive area of land, with or without planning permission, our broad range of knowledge and in-depth experience will ensure that your ambitions are met.

Kirkby Diamond’s Land Planning and Development Team pride themselves on securing the best opportunities available and advising on the best course of action. The Team can be contacted on 01908 678 800.

Milton Keynes Local Plan

Milton Keynes Council have begun preparations for a new local plan. The Council have recently put out a Land Availability Assessment and Call for Sites in preparation for the upcoming local plan which ended on the 20th April 2022. The Council are currently still working through the assessment stage of the Call for Sites and are aiming to publish the call for sites report in Spring of 2023. If you think your land has development potential contact the Land Planning and Development Team for a discussion.

Central Bedfordshire Local Plan

The Local Plan was adopted at Full Council on the 22nd of July 2021, setting out how and where new homes, jobs and infrastructure will be delivered in Central Bedfordshire. The adopted plan can be found here. In line with the Council’s local development scheme, a review of the Local Plan has commenced and with informal and non-statutory engagement and evidence review due to take place between January 2023 and January 2024. If you have been contacted by a developer regarding your land, Kirkby Diamond would be happy to discuss the options available to you.

Bedford Borough Local Plan

Bedford Borough Council has closed the consultation period for the Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 – Plan in 29th July 2022. Responses are being considered before approval from the Council’s Executive and Full Council to submit the plan to the Planning Inspectorate, which is scheduled for January 2023.

The Oxfordshire Plan 2050

A statement from Oxfordshire’s district councils on ‘The Oxfordshire Plan 2050’ has confirmed that the 2050 Plan work programme will end. The 2050 plan was to shape Oxfordshire’s housing and infrastructure delivery over the next 30 years. Following this, planning will be processed through individual Local Plans for each district.

...Read entire document by clicking "View our interactive document here"