A picturesque rural landscape with a flock of sheep grazing in a green field, enclosed by a wooden fence, and a small village with a church steeple in the background under a clear blue sky.

LUC to steer sustainability for Central Bedfordshire's New Local and Transport Plans

Category
News
Posted
18 July 2024

Central Bedfordshire Council has appointed LUC to conduct the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) for its emerging Local Plan and Local Transport Plan.

This appointment follows our successful collaboration with the Council in 2020-2021, where we undertook significant work on the SA of their now-adopted Local Plan. 

Two modern detached homes with white and red brick exteriors, gabled roofs, and front gardens on a sunny day in a suburban neighbourhood.

In our previous commission, Central Bedfordshire Council enlisted LUC to provide essential support during the Examination of their Local Plan.

The original SA work, conducted by a different consultant, had been scrutinised by the Inspector.

LUC stepped in to deliver a robust and compliant SA, which was crucial in enabling the Local Plan to be found sound and adopted.

Our work involved preparing a Supplementary SA to robustly revisit key plan options and decisions regarding the spatial strategy.

We provided expert guidance on SA matters during the second phase of Examination hearings, prepared the SA Report for the Main Modifications to the Local Plan, and drafted the SA Adoption Statement.

A wide landscape photo of farmland split in two by a fence. One side is dirt with dried grass, the other side is green with a flock of sheep grazing. In the background, there is a village with houses and trees. The sky is blue with a few white clouds.

We are delighted to have been appointed to work with the Council again on the new Local Plan from the outset of its preparation, as well as undertake HRA for the Local Plan and both SA and HRA for the new Local Transport Plan.

This latest commission is a testament to LUC's expertise in navigating the complexities of local planning and development.

We are committed to ensuring Central Bedfordshire's new Local Plan and Local Transport Plan both foster a future that harmonises growth with environmental protection and community well-being.

Learn more about Local Plan evidence

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