Consultation on Woodside local development order

Consultation closed: Monday, 7 September 2020
Consultation started: Monday, 27 July 2020

Our proposals

The local development order (LDO) will also ensure that nearby residents and others are properly protected; only development of an appropriate scale will be allowed and appropriate safeguards will be in place.

We propose that the following will continue to no longer require planning permission in the Woodside estate and two adjacent new extensions.

• changes of Use from B2 (General Industrial Uses) or B8 (Storage and Distribution Uses) to B1 (Offices, Research and Development or Light Industrial Uses)
• sub-division of existing units
• the re-cladding of existing units, or the installation of new windows, shutters or doors
• the installation of solar or photovoltaic (PV) panels onto existing units
• the installation of external lighting, including columns to a height of 5 metres, subject to controls over light pollution
• new or replacement fencing is permitted up to 3 metres in height, unless the site is adjacent to a residential property or the Houghton Regis Conservation Area, in which case it is permitted to 2 metres in height, or a public highway, in which case it is permitted to 1 metre in height
• single-storey ancillary structures, for specific uses, e.g. bike or smoking shelters

In addition, we will permit a degree of building extension and new build under the terms of the order:

• extensions to existing units up to 1200 square metres or 25% of the current building footprint (whichever is the greater), provided the extension is within the curtilage of the existing building, and the extension does not exceed the height of the existing building (for the Apex Business Centre, a maximum extension of 35% of the existing building footprint is permitted)
• new buildings, for uses falling within the Use Classes B1, B2 or B8, up to a maximum size of 1200 square metres

The benefits our proposals are expected to deliver

There are a number of benefits to be gained from the proposed LDO. 

It will:

• promote and communicate a clear, individual planning framework for the Woodside Estate to landowners, occupiers, and other stakeholders
• ensure that appropriate protections are in place from inappropriate development for nearby residents and other parties
• provide a comprehensive outline of all development that is permitted, without the need for planning permission
• enable and facilitate timely economic development and sustainable economic growth, allowing businesses to react quickly to growth opportunities
• provide this location with a source of competitive advantage compared to other areas, particularly along the M1, and help attract investment not tied to a specific area
• encourage employment and the growth of companies on the Woodside Estate; organisations and landowners will benefit from time and cost savings and increased certainty when planning investment and the use of their buildings
• enable the site to respond quickly to industry requirements as there will be no requirement to apply and wait for planning permission
• build confidence in and inform the community of future development
• improve investor and occupier clarity, certainty and confidence
• encourage the growth of micro generation of renewable energies, specifically through the use of solar and photovoltaic (PV) panels, biomass and combined heat and power systems (CHP)
• reduce the administrative burden us, as the local planning authority and our consultees, by not having to commence and administer the planning permission process