Bedford Borough Council has told developers that the Riseley Neighbourhood Plan cannot be used to stop new housing, clearing the way for a 32-home scheme on the former Margaret Beaufort Middle School site.
The developer’s planning statement said that council officers advised that the Neighbourhood Plan, adopted in April 2024, does not qualify for protection under national planning policy because it contains no residential sites.
Instead, the statement said the application will be assessed under the government’s presumption in favour of sustainable development.
This applies as the borough council can only demonstrate “3.35 years” of housing land supply, below the required five.
More information can be found on the council’s planning portal, reference 25/02182/MAF.
The overall consultation expiry date is Friday, 12 December 2025.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
