As a result of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, Structure Plans will no longer be prepared. Structure Plan 2016 has been formally abandoned but the information remains on the Website for information purposes only.

In October 2002 representations were invited on the Deposit Draft of the Bedfordshire & Luton Structure Plan - 2016. Wide ranging representations, both supporting and objecting, were received from around 250 organisations and individuals.

The responses are currently being analysed and a report summarising their content should be available by late March 2003. The responses will be used to inform future stages of the Structure Plan and will also assist Bedfordshire County Council and Luton Borough Council as joint strategic planning authorities, with their input to regional and sub-regional planning work.

This note is to alert users of this web site to a significant change to the timetable for the Structure Plan. In its response to the Deposit Draft consultation, the Government Office for the East of England (Go-East) expressed the strong view that it would be inappropriate for the Structure Plan Examination in Public (EIP) to precede the further planned work for the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy.

Development of the Sub-Regional Strategy itself will be the subject of further consultation this summer and public examination in December 2003. Given that the Sub-Regional Strategy will set the strategic framework for longer term growth in parts of the County, Go-East's view, is that the Structure Plan EIP should await the outcome of the Sub-Regional work. As a result the earliest feasible date for the EIP is now around June 2004. Bedfordshire County Council and Luton Borough Council have now formally adopted the revised Structure Plan timetable. A June 2004 EIP would imply Modifications to the Deposit Draft in the light of the EIP Panel Report in early 2005, followed by adoption in June 2005. We have written to all those who responded to the consultation to advise of the revised timetable.

It should also be noted that the emerging Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill, which is proposing a fundamental change to the planning system, could impact further on the Structure Plan preparation.

If you wish to discuss the content of this note please contact a member of the joint Structure Plan Team using the telephone and e-mail details below.

(01234) 228673

john.stanbridge@bedscc.gov.uk| or structureplan@luton.gov.uk|