Background information
View our Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan preparation.
Timetable for the new Local Plan
| Stage | Detail | When |
|---|---|---|
| Publish local plan timetable | The timetable sets out the dates for key plan-making stages and must be followed and kept up to date. | 28 May 2026 |
| Publish notice of intention to commence local plan preparation | Publication of notice so that stakeholders are aware that the Council intends to produce a Plan. | 28 May 2026 |
| Consultation: Publish Notice of Scoping consultation | Publish Scoping consultation on what the plan should contain and how the Council should engage with stakeholders and the public. | 28 May 2026 |
| Call for Sites | An opportunity for landowners and developers to submit sites consideration in the Local Plan. | 28 May to 23 July 2026 |
| Comments received to Scoping Consultation and call for sites | The date when comments to the scoping consultation must be received by the Council. | 23 July 2026 |
| Publish Summary of Scoping Consultation | Publish Summary of Scoping Consultation outcomes. | October 2026 |
| Gateway 1: self assessment of readiness | Publication of a self-assessment document setting out details of how the Council have got ready for plan-making, marking formal commencement of plan making. | 22 October 2026 |
| Consultation: Publish Notice of proposed local plan content and evidence | Minimum 6-week consultation on the proposed local plan content and evidence, including draft vision. | 13 May 2027 |
| Final Call for Sites | An opportunity for land owners and developers to submit sites for consideration in the Local Plan. | 13 May to 24 June 2027 |
| Comments received to proposed local plan content and evidence and call for sites | The date by comments to the proposed local plan content must be received by the Council. | 24 June 2027 |
| Publish Summary of consultation of proposed Local Plan content | Publish Summary of consultation on proposed Local Plan content. | August 2027 |
| Gateway 2: Observations and advice | Seek observations and advice from the Planning Inspectorate to support the early resolution of potential soundness issues with the Plan. | 17 August 2027 |
| Consultation: Publish Notice of proposed local plan | Minimum 8-week consultation on the proposed local plan and its supporting documents. | 18 November 2027 |
| Comments received to proposed local plan | The date by comments to the proposed local plan must be received by the Council. | 20 January 2028 |
| Publish Summary of consultation of proposed Local Plan | Publish Summary of consultation on proposed Local Plan. | February 2028 |
| Gateway 3: Observations and Advice | Testing of the proposed local plan with the Planning Inspectorate to check it has met 17 February 2028 the ‘prescribed requirements’ and can proceed to examination. | 17 February 2028 |
| Submission of Local Plan | Submission of the Local Plan to the Secretary for State for examination. | 15 June 2028 |
| Examination | A public examination of the local plan against the tests of soundness, set out in national policy. | June to October 2028 |
| Adoption | Publication of the local plan and adoption statement. | 22 December 2028 |
This data is provided under the Open Government Licence. This timetable was published and has come into effect on 28 May 2026. Details and URLs for the council’s current adopted plan and future plan making activity, can be found in the CSV file below.
Our Local Development Scheme (visit download archive) includes a timetable for producing a joint Minerals and Waste Local Plan for Bedfordshire and it is anticipated that a new timetable will be prepared soon.