Planning

The Town Council's role in the planning process is to represent the wider community and comment on planning applications as a consultee.

For sites that have already been allocated in Central Bedfordshire Council's Local Plan, it is likely that development will proceed and in these cases it is essential to ensure that the best possible outcomes can be negotiated for the town.

In May 2022 the Town Council established a new Planning Improvement Working Group for Flitwick with the aim of engaging with Central Bedfordshire Council, residents, and developers to try to influence plans before they reach an advanced stage. The group comprises Town Councillors and residents working together to help make a difference to planning developments in the town.

This Town Council has produced a comprehensive guide on its role as a consultee in respect of Planning & Development Control. Town & parish councils and councillors have a crucial role in representing their locality and leading local development in the best interests of residents. The Planning Guide also gives guidance on the Planning System.

Flitwick Town Council Planning Guide

The Planning Improvement Working Group met with representatives from Optimis Consulting to discuss potential development opportunities in Flitwick on 22^nd February 2023. You can view the notes from this meeting here.

Land South of Steppingley Road - Planning Application October 2022

poster showing plan for new housing development

A planning application has been received for the construction of 200 homes on land south of Steppingley Road, opposite the Leisure Centre. The planning application is live on the Central Bedfordshire Council website (Application Reference: CB/22/04108/FULL) You can view and comment on the planning application here:

The Town Council's Planning Improvement Working Group has prepared a short briefing note on this planning application and is encouraging all residents to view the plans and submit their comments before the consultation ends on 25th November. View the briefing note here.

Town Council Reports

The Town Council has submitted three objections to major developments that will impact the town. You can read the full reports below:

Land South of Steppingley Road

Church Road, Flitwick

Land between Brogborough, Lidlington, and Marston Moretaine

A Guide to Commenting on a Planning Applications

An important part of the planning process is the involvement of local people, organisations and businesses making their views known about planning applications.

You can support, object or make general comments about any planning application on Central Bedfordshire Council's website. The formal consultation period will normally last for 21 days.

It is important to note that only certain issues can be taken into account when commenting on planning applications, which are known as 'material planning considerations'.

Listed below is information on what constitutes a valid material consideration for planning applications, and issues that are not considered relevant to the decision-making process for planning applications.

Material Planning Considerations

Issues that can be considered to form a valid objection to an application include the following;

Local, strategic and national planning policies, plus emerging new plans that have been through at least one stage of consultation
Government circulars, orders, statutory instruments, guidance and advice
Previous planning and appeal decisions, plus principles of case law held through the courts
Overshadowing and loss of light based on Building Research Establishment guidance
Overlooking and loss of privacy
Highway issues, including traffic generation, vehicular access and highway safety
Noise and disturbance from proposed use, including operating hours
Smells and fumes
Storage and handling of hazardous materials
Effect on listed buildings, conservation areas, scheduled monuments and archaeology
Loss or effect on trees
Adverse impacts on nature conservation interests and biodiversity
Layout and density of building design, visual appearance and finishing materials
Landscaping and means of enclosure

Non-Material Planning Considerations

Issues that are not relevant to the decision making process and cannot be taken into account include the following;

Loss of view
Negative impact on property value
Land and boundary disputes between neighbours and/or damage to property
Private rights of access and covenants
The impact of construction work
Opposition to business competition
Personal morals or views about the applicant
Opposition to the principle of development if this has been decided by an outline planning permission or appeal decision.
Matters controlled under other non-planning legislation, for example, building regulations