Neighbouring councils clash over 5,000-home scheme

Luton borough council has launched an attack on a neighbouring authority’s decision to approve a 5,000-home urban extension in the Bedfordshire green belt. Luton says that, in granting planning permission for the development near Houghton Regis in June, Central Bedfordshire council failed in its duty to involve it properly in the process. It also claims that affordable housing provision is too low, with only 10% guaranteed from the 5,150 homes planned. In addition, it says that Central Bedfordshire included far too much retail provision in the permission. Peter Village QC told Holgate J: “We make no bones about the fact that Luton is very concerned about the quantum of affordable housing provided as part of the Houghton Regis North scheme, with a guarantee of only 10%. There are other highly unsatisfactory aspects of the scheme. Retail provision goes well beyond what is required by Houghton Regis residents, and no special circumstances have been identified.” He said that Central Bedfordshire council’s planning committee misdirected itself by failing to take into account paragraph 83 of the National Planning Policy Framework, or the site’s “planning pedigree”. In addition, he questioned the viability of the scheme and said that Central Bedfordshire failed to facilitate proper participation on the part of Luton. He accused Central Bedfordshire of failing to ask itself whether it was required to assess alternative strategies, then failing to undertake that task. The hearing is expected to last up to four days, with Central Bedfordshire hoping to persuade the judge that the planning permission should stand. Luton Borough Council v Central Bedfordshire Council Planning Court (Holgate J) 2 December 2014