New local plan for 2030 to be adopted in Bedford Borough after report

He said “This is excellent news and I would like to thank everyone involved in the preparation of the Local Plan.

"It is a testament to their hard work and the in depth consultations that we can now adopt the Local Plan, when other local councils have not been allowed.”

In their final report to the Council just before Christmas the Inspectors concluded that with some modifications the Local Plan satisfies the requirements of Section 20(5) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and meets the criteria for soundness in the National Planning Policy Framework.

The Inspectors Report will be discussed at the Council’s Executive at their meeting on 8th January and they will recommend to Full Council that the Local Plan, incorporating the modifications from the Inspectors be adopted as policy.

Mayor Hodgson added: “When the Local Plan is adopted its policies will carry full weight when making planning decisions and empower the Council’s Planning Committee to make decisions based on the needs of the borough rather than national needs outlined by the government.”