Conclusion
- The proposed development on Green Belt land is based solely on helping to meet Luton’s unmet housing needs. This was proven in the NHC Local Plan Examination to be non-existent. This is not an acceptable ‘exceptional circumstance’ for releasing the Green Belt.
- Luton Borough Council has not complied with its policy LLP40 to review its Local Plan by mid-2021. It is now over 6 years from its Local Plan adoption of 7 November 2017.
- LBC is operating illegally as per the requirements of the Town and Country (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012, which requires that Local Plan Reviews be completed at least every five years from their adoption date—7 November 2017 in LBC’s case. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) also states that Local Plans should be reviewed at least every five years following adoption and updated as necessary. This is backed up by the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG).
- Had this LBC Local Plan Review (as the ‘responsible public authority’) been carried out, it would have clearly shown that the increased housing capacity within Luton, together with the reduced housing need and the valuable contribution from Central Beds Council, collectively mean that the EOL development would not be needed, and the release of Green Belt would be invalidated.
Offley Parish Council provided this information to Central Government via a letter to then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak MP and Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove MP, requesting their intervention. The letter and accompanying fact sheet were sent to Mr Sunak and Mr Gove on Tuesday, 21 May 2024. On Wednesday, 22 May 2024 the Prime Minister announced the General Election. Our letter was not acted upon by the outgoing Conservative Government.
Offley Parish Council continues to pursue this argument with our new MP, Alistair Strathern and the new Labour Government. Additionally, we continue to pursue this argument with North Herts Council and Luton Borough Council.
