Open space SPD

The Open Space Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted at the Council’s Executive on 11 September 2013.

The purpose of the Open Space SPD is to expand on and provide guidance on the application of Policy AD28 (Provision of Open Space and Built Facilities in Association with New Development) contained in the Allocations and Designations Local Plan 2013.

The document will assist developers and applicants to determine the requirements for providing open space in new developments to ensure sufficient facilities are provided for future residents. Details of financial contributions in lieu of on-site provision are outlined in the document.

The Bedford Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) was adopted on 1 April 2014. As a result of changes in legislation, the Regulation 123 list has now been removed and replaced by an Infrastructure Funding Statement which shows where the CIL money has been spent by the Council in the previous year.

Developments should generally provide open space on site. In those circumstances where provision cannot be made on site, the SPD allows for financial contributions in lieu of delivery. At the present time there is no intention to fund new open space through CIL, therefore where on-site provision cannot be made, a financial contribution will be required and will be collected through a S106 agreement.

See further details on the Community Infrastructure Levy.

As stated in the SPD, the costs at time of adoption will be subject to indexation. The updated costs for the commuted sums and contributions in lieu of on-site provision have been indexed in accordance with the Retail Price Index as at May 2023 and are available to view below:

The adoption documents are available to view

The SPD was subject to public consultation for 6 weeks in June and July 2013. The documents that were subject to public consultation are available below.