Central Bedfordshire Council commissioned LUC to provide critical support during the Examination stage of their Local Plan development.

The original Sustainability Appraisal (SA) work, not undertaken by LUC, faced scrutiny by the Inspector.

LUC’s role was to ensure a robust and compliant SA that informed the Local Plan’s finalisation.

LUC's intervention ensured the Local Plan aligns with sustainable development principles. 

Our work will contribute to a Central Bedfordshire that balances growth with environmental protection and community well-being.

Recognising shortfalls in the SA work completed prior to LUC’s involvement, LUC commenced with a thorough SA quality assurance review.

This phase involved:

• Identifying gaps and inconsistencies in the Regulation 19 SA Report.
• Assessing compliance with Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Regulations to ensure a robust SA process.

LUC re-appraised the Local Plan’s strategic options, including:

• Distribution scenarios for new development.
• Growth projections for employment.
• Locations for future housing and employment growth.

LUC undertook a supplementary SA to integrate various options and address key Council decisions regarding the spatial strategy. We further supported the Council by:

• Providing expert guidance on SA matters during the second phase of Examination hearings.
• Preparing the SA Report for the Main Modifications to the Local Plan.
• Drafting the SA Adoption Statement.

LUC’s strategic intervention ensured a comprehensive and compliant SA for the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan. This will guide sustainable development for the future of Central Bedfordshire.