The site under consideration lies to the east of Luton. The A505 forms its northern boundary, with agricultural land to the east and Wandon End to the south. The site is to the east of the Stopsley and Wigmore areas of Luton, with Luton Airport to the south west.
Although immediately adjacent to the borders of Luton Borough and Bedfordshire County Council, the site lies predominantly under the authority of North Hertfordshire District Council and Hertfordshire County Council.
The site is predominantly private agricultural land, with the existing villages of Cockernhoe and Mangrove Green occupying a central section.
The South Midlands and the East of England are undergoing a long-term period of change and regeneration. New homes are being developed, retail provision is being expanded, transport links are improving and new jobs are being created.
The Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub Regional Strategy, which looks to foster sustainable development in the region, identifies this land as an area to be assessed for a review of the Green Belt boundaries with a view to accommodating growth. The site has also been put forward as a possible option for development within the emerging Luton and South Bedfordshire Local Development Framework.
Bloor Homes has appointed Trimedia to carry out this consultation. Bloor Homes has the option to bring forward a planning application for the site, and this consultation will inform any plans brought forward in the future.
The results of the consultation will be reported to Bloor Homes. The feedback received will form part of the Statement of Community Involvement which would be submitted as part of any planning application.
The local and regional authorities are putting together their long-term plans for the immediate area as well as links across the region. Overall, the planning process is at an early stage.
The area to the east of Luton has been identified as one option for sustainable growth in the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub Regional Strategy, as well as by the Joint Planning and Transport Committee formed by Luton Borough Council, South Bedfordshire District Council and Bedfordshire County Council. Both of these documents consider options for reviewing the Green Belt to give headroom for sustainable growth. North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC) is the planning authority for the actual site. NHDC recently published, for public consultation, its Preferred Options for its Core Strategy and Development Policies as part of its emerging Local Development Framework. This is intended to set out how the council will provide sustainable growth over the coming years.
The J S Bloor Group, which also owns Triumph Motorcycles, began building houses over 35 years ago and today is one of the largest privately owned house building groups in England. The company's philosophy is to design superior homes and facilities at each new location, as well as conserving the natural balance of wildlife, natural features and the general environment.
