Call for Sites

A header image for the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan webpage. The image features a scenic view of a vibrant green park with trees, walking paths, and people enjoying outdoor activities, set against a clear blue sky. The text on the image reads, "Creating Great Places to Live - New Local Plan.

Brownfield Call for Sites

We are currently in the process of updating the Local Plan for Central Bedfordshire, and as part of this there will be a need to allocate sites for new homes and jobs, and potentially supporting infrastructure. It also provides the opportunity to designate sites for other uses. A Call for Sites is therefore being undertaken to request sites for the following uses:

  • Housing
  • Employment
  • Gypsy and Traveller Pitches
  • Green Energy Sites
  • Green Spaces (Strategic Alternative Greenspaces (SANG) sites as required by the Beechwoods Mitigation strategy, Local Nature Sites, BNG sites)
  • Education sites
  • Cemeteries
  • Freight Rest Areas

We are committed to ensuring that new development is sustainable and uses available land efficiently, so to minimise the use of greenfield sites, we are initially focusing on identifying previously developed land known as ‘brownfield sites’ within Central Bedfordshire. A definition of brownfield sites can be found below.

If you would like to submit a brownfield site for consideration as part of this process, please use the following link:

Call for Sites

Please note, all sites should be submitted electronically via our online platform. We will not be accepting submissions in other formats. Please contact the Local Plans Team if you require any support with your submission.

Once submitted, sites will be subject to an assessment of their suitability, availability and achievability for the development type proposed. This will include considering whether there is landowner commitment to bring the site forward, constraints such as flood risk and environmental and historic designations, and whether there is sufficient infrastructure capacity to support the proposed site. Further consultation on the Local Plan and any shortlisted sites will be undertaken as part of the wider plan-making process.

The call for sites is open from 4 November to 2 December 2024.

What is a brownfield site?

According to the Government's definition, a brownfield site is one which:

  • is or was occupied by a permanent structure, including the curtilage of the developed land (although it should not be assumed that the whole of the curtilage should be developed) and any associated fixed surface infrastructure

It excludes land that:

  • is or was last occupied by agricultural or forestry buildings;
  • was developed for minerals extraction or waste disposal by landfill, where provision for restoration has been made
  • is in built-up areas such as residential gardens, parks, recreation grounds and allotments; and
  • was previously developed but where structural remains have blended into the landscape

Initially this call for Sites is open to Brownfield sites only. This is to understand the capacity for Brownfield development within Central Bedfordshire before we look to Greenfield opportunities. Following the Brownfield Call for Sites, if it is considered that there have not been enough sites identified to address the likely housing and employment need in the Local Plan, then the Call for Sites will be opened up to Greenfield sites also. 

Potential development sites – ‘Call for Sites’ FAQs

What is the process and timeline for the new Local Plan?

Early 2024
Comms and engagement workshops
July 2024 to end of September 2024
Public engagement
2025
Site assessment and drafting the plan
Spring 2026
Public consultation (Regulation 18 issues and options)
2027
Public consultation (Regulation 19 pre-submission)
2028
Submission and examination
December 2028
Adopt new Local Plan