The Woodside Estate and the surrounding area is the largest continuous industrial area in Southern England. The site extends to approximately 107 hectares (265 acres), plus approximately 10.7 hectares (26.5 acres) for the Eastern Avenue area. Woodside’s strategic importance as well as position close to the M1 makes it an attractive location for business. There are, however, many competing areas close to the M1 corridor all eager to attract new occupiers.
Significant work has taken place to improve and regenerate Dunstable with the Luton-Dunstable Busway opened along with the Woodside Link and A5-M1 Link roads, which are providing direct connection to the M1 motorway from the Woodside Estate and the A5, respectively.
The Woodside Estate is now playing a key part in the economic regeneration of the area, creating additional jobs. It has therefore been made the subject of a Local Development Order.
The benefits
We adopted a Local Development Order (LDO) for the Woodside Estate and surrounding area in Dunstable on 8 December 2020.
The LDO will make it easier for businesses to grow and expand by relaxing some planning restrictions so that they can do certain works without needing to apply for planning permission. The aim is to help businesses to save time and money, which puts them in a better position to respond quickly to opportunities and contribute towards the economic health of the area.
LDOs allow local planning authorities to extend permitted development rights for certain specified forms of development and set out standard conditions or restrictions to ensure that the interests of residents and others nearby are protected.
The works which no longer require planning permission include a wide range of minor works, such as:
- certain changes of use
- solar or PV panels
- lighting
- new fencing
It also allows the expansion of existing buildings up to 25%, provided they stay within their current plot, and allow new builds of up to 1200 square metres.
Taking advantage of the order
If your premises are within the Woodside Industrial Estate or surrounding area and you wish to undertake works, please read the Woodside Local Development Order (PDF).
This explains the exact works which can be undertaken, the precise area which is covered, and the conditions and restrictions which must be adhered to.
Then, please complete the prior notification form (PDF 357.8KB) 
. This asks for details of the proposed works and their location, and then asks you to confirm that the proposed works adhere to any necessary conditions or restrictions.
Please submit your notification to us at planning@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or to:
Development Management
Central Bedfordshire Council
Priory House
Monks Walk
Chicksands
Shefford
Bedfordshire
SG17 5TQ
Once we receive your notification, we will reply with 28 days. We’ll let you know whether the proposed works fall within the terms of the order and can therefore proceed without planning permission, if planning permission is required, or if we need more information.