A new plan setting out where minerals will be extracted for building and industry and what will happen to our rubbish in the future - the Minerals and Waste Core Strategy for Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton - is nearly complete.
The plan protects areas known to be rich in minerals and proposes four strategic sites for handling and treating rubbish and two sites for disposal by landfill. Waste recycling and recovery, including generating energy where appropriate, is an important part of the plan. The nearest strategic site to Luton will be at Thorn Turn on the A5.
Using feedback from an earlier public consultation(1) on the draft plan’s soundness in line with Government policy, and incorporating the recently published National Planning Policy Framework as appropriate, the councils involved have now produced several Main Modifications and Additional Modifications for consultation from 4 June until 16 July.
Cllr Hazel Simmons, Leader of the Council, said: ”The strategy will affect the future for minerals and waste for the whole of Bedfordshire, so it’s a very important document. I encourage you to take part in the consultation and make your voice heard.”
You can read the modifications and make comments by visiting:
Minerals and Waste Planning Shared Service
Central Bedfordshire Council
Priory House
Chicksands
Shefford SG17 5TQ
The current version of the strategy and modifications ensure that in Luton, both the existing rail served aggregates depot in Leagrave Road and the asphalt-making plants that provide essential materials for road construction and maintenance are safeguarded.
No sites in the borough are identified for either mineral extraction because this is a heavily built up area, or for large scale waste management because no sites were previously proposed.
Following this consultation, the Minerals and Waste Core Strategy with the modification documents will be formally submitted to the Secretary of State. An Examination will be held in public later this year by an independent Planning Inspector. Anyone who responded to the plan will be informed in writing. Updates will also be appearing on council websites and in the media during the autumn.
If the Minerals and Waste Core Strategy is found to be sound by the Planning Inspector, it is likely to be adopted in 2013 and will immediately begin to influence decisions on future mineral supply and the location of new waste management facilities.
For more information please call the Minerals and Waste Team based at Technology House in Central Bedfordshire on 0300 300 6219.