Bedfordians are being urged to help shape the future of their local streets, parks and community spaces as part of a major planning blueprint running to 2050.
Bedford Borough Council has launched a public consultation on its emerging Local Plan 2050, asking local people to identify the facilities their neighbourhoods need most over the next 25 years.
Local priorities
Town hall bosses want feedback on what improvements to prioritise, including new community venues, open spaces and neighbourhood facilities.
The consultation also asks how planners should choose future development sites, while balancing growth alongside nature protection.
Council planners say the long-term vision aims to develop the area as an innovative river town with world-class leisure, education and accessible green space.
Major regional schemes, including the proposed Universal United Kingdom Resort and regional transport upgrades, are set to drive fresh investment and jobs into the area.
Protecting spaces
However, council chiefs stress that everyday neighbourhood needs must remain at the heart of any future growth.
Cllr Andrea Spice (Conservative/Wixams and Wilstead), the portfolio holder for economic prosperity, planning, housing and regulatory services, encourages everyone to take part.
“This consultation is a chance for you to share ideas or suggest land suitable to build homes, businesses or community spaces, so we can decide where development should happen.”
“Your feedback will directly inform how we get the right mix of homes and jobs alongside the local services including the leisure and green spaces we want, while protecting our most valued assets,” she said.
Have your say
Local people have until 11.59pm on Monday, 23 November 2026 to submit their views through the council’s online planning portal.
The local authority has also extended its call for sites to the same deadline, allowing landowners and developers to put forward plots for potential housing or employment schemes.
Local people can view the proposals and take part at localplan.bedford.gov.uk.
For further details, you can also telephone 01234 718070 or email planning.policy@bedford.gov.uk.
