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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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;

9. 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?

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)

14. 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