Luton Borough Council

16/12/2024 - Have your say on Luton’s new Local Plan

Luton Council is looking for views to help shape its new Local Plan which will identify areas for development in the borough, such as for new homes, offices, shops, and community facilities.

The current Local Plan was put in place in 2017, and the council needs to produce a new one as government policy and legislation has changed. Its aim is also to help deliver the town wide Luton 2040 vision by facilitating local economic growth and be used to guide decisions on planning, development and regeneration. When adopted, it will set out how the council proposes to provide for much-needed homes for the town alongside jobs to meet local needs and policies to protect the environment.

People can view a Community Involvement Paper which sets out what the council thinks the issues for Luton are and some options for planning policies for the Local Plan to help to address them. People’s views are vital to help shape this and put forward ideas on how the town could change in the future. Engagement is taking place with community groups and organisations during the consultation. Some of the key topics include:

• providing sustainable and suitable homes

• supporting economic development

• Town Centre and retail

• health and wellbeing

• addressing climate change

• enhancing the natural environment

• community facilities and recreation

• historic environment

• design

• connectivity and transport

• sustainable infrastructure

Councillor Javed Hussain portfolio holder responsible for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure at Luton Council said, “We need to plan for growth and for future generations, so we need to have a robust Local Plan in place which puts the delivery of Luton 2040 at the heart of planning decisions.

“We want a town with high quality, sustainable new developments. One which allows for regeneration of the town centre and the rest of the borough, provide new homes, jobs and a town where companies want to invest. We want people to be able to access community facilities, services and open spaces and it’s important our natural and historic environments are preserved. This will all help to improve life outcomes”.

The Local Plan will take about 4 years to produce and there are a number of key stages that it needs to go through. It will need to undergo several stages of public consultation and then the council will submit it to the Secretary of State who will appoint an independent Inspector to conduct an Examination. Completion of the Local Plan is planned for the end of 2028.

The consultation closes at 5pm on 7 February 2025. The documents are available online and in hard copy. Public exhibitions will also be held;

Luton Point Shopping Centre (near the exit to Bute Street/the train station) - Tuesday 17 December 2024 10am to 6pm

Luton Point Shopping Centre (near the exit to Bute Street/the train station) - Wednesday 8 January 2025, 10am to 6pm

Council Offices, Town Hall, Committee Room 3 - Thursday 23 January 2025, 10am to 5pm

For more information and to make comments visit luton.gov.uk/newlocalplan