Introduction

Following the government's restructuring of the planning process, Bedfordshire County Council and Luton Borough Council are producing a new plan for minerals and waste, known as the Minerals and Waste Development Framework. This plan will set out the two Councils' policies for mineral extraction and waste planning in the County, and identify potential new sites in the area.

Preparation of the first part of the plan, covering minerals extraction and related developments, began in 2005 and is due to be adopted in June 2009. Work commenced in late 2006 on the second part, which will deal with waste planning, and this is due to be completed by June 2010.

Sustainability appraisal is central to the process of preparing the new Minerals and Waste Development Framework. It aims to ensure that the policies and proposals in the plan offer the best solutions in terms of economic, social and environmental impacts.

Bedfordshire County Council and Luton Borough Council have appointed a team of consultants to carry out the sustainability appraisal. The team is led by ENVIRON and also includes CAG Consultants, The Centre for Sustainability (C4S) and MVA Consultancy.

For further information on the sustainability appraisal of the minerals elements of the plan, click here.

For further information on the sustainability appraisal of the waste elements of the plan, click here.

For other information on the Minerals and Waste Development Framework, visit the Bedfordshire County Council website.