MMETAG Conference - Marston Vale 2050 Demystifying Planning – the Challenges and the Context Simon Andrews – Central Beds LDF Team Leader

Demystifying planning… …in 10 minutes! MMETAG Conference - Marston Vale 2050 Demystifying planning… …in 10 minutes! Describe hierarchy of planning policy National Regional Local Outline key planning policy challenges for the area Help set the context for future vision

MMETAG Conference - Marston Vale 2050 Bedford/Kempston/ Northern Marston Vale Bedford Borough Council Central Bedfordshire Council Milton Keynes Council Marston Vale MMETAG Conference - Marston Vale 2050

National planning policy MMETAG Conference - Marston Vale 2050 National planning policy Planning Policy Statements (PPS) PPS1 – Delivering Sustainable Development PPS1 supplement – Climate Change PPS3 – Housing PPS12 – Local Spatial Planning Planning Policy Guidance notes (PPG) PPG2 – Green Belts (1995) PPG4 – Industrial & Commercial Development (1992) PPG13 – Transport (2001)

National planning policy MMETAG Conference - Marston Vale 2050 National planning policy Sustainable Communities Plan (2003) Addressed housing supply shortage Identified 4 Growth Areas in south east Focused pattern of development Eco-town initiative Specific, developer-led proposals Emphasis on eco-standards

Regional planning policy MMETAG Conference - Marston Vale 2050 Regional planning policy East of England Plan (2008) Part of statutory “Development Plan” Provides context for local strategies Sets housing and job requirements to 2021 Focus on Key Centres for Development and Change (KCDCs) e.g. Bedford/Kempston/Northern Marston Vale

Regional planning policy MMETAG Conference - Marston Vale 2050 Regional planning policy East of England Plan Review Early review needed to address scope for greater housing delivery Review due for completion by 2011 Options consultation later this year

Regional planning policy MMETAG Conference - Marston Vale 2050 Regional planning policy Regional Scale Settlement Study Marston Vale was one option identified Green Belt review Possible increases in Central Beds – early possible candidates include Cranfield and Southern Marston Vale;

Regional planning policy MMETAG Conference - Marston Vale 2050 Regional planning policy Draft South East Plan Proposed expansion of Milton Keynes into Bedfordshire 5,600 homes? 2,000 homes? 0 homes?

Sub-Regional planning policy MMETAG Conference - Marston Vale 2050 Sub-Regional planning policy Milton Keynes South Midlands (MKSM) Sub Regional Strategy Covers parts of 3 regions: East, South East, East Midlands 19,500 homes 16,270 Bedford Borough 3,230 Mid Beds

Sub-Regional planning policy MMETAG Conference - Marston Vale 2050 Sub-Regional planning policy Revitalisation of Bedford Town Centre Significant increase in employment Significantly higher rate of housing delivery Reducing the need to travel by private vehicle Developing cultural and heritage-focused tourism Continued environmental regeneration in the Marston Vale

MMETAG Conference - Marston Vale 2050 Local planning policy Local Development Frameworks Core Strategy Development Management policies Site Allocations Adopted Core Strategy for Bedford Submitted Core Strategy for former Mid Beds area

Local planning policy – Central Bedfordshire MMETAG Conference - Marston Vale 2050 Local planning policy – Central Bedfordshire Support for existing sites e.g. Wixams Some new growth up to 2026 800-1,000 at Wixams 0-100 at Marston Moretaine Small-scale growth at villages Support for infrastructure e.g. Bedford Milton Keynes Waterway Forest of Marston Vale Local traffic issues (Millbrook)

MMETAG Conference - Marston Vale 2050 Final thoughts Current growth – up to 2021 Creating successful new/expanded places Use Growth Area status for advantage Delivering infrastructure to support growth Future growth – beyond 2021 What future for the growth area? Quantum and distribution of growth Regional “options” consultation is crucial