3.69 Urban growth of Luton - One of the main issues affecting this area is the possible expansion of Luton into North Hertfordshire. This is a prospect raised by the Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub-Regional Strategy. This suggests that if there is insufficient urban capacity within the Luton conurbation to accommodate the required growth, then sites outside the urban area will need to be considered. If this is the case, it identifies a couple of broad directions for growth, one of which is south of the A505 Hitchin Road and east of the B653 Lower Harpenden Road.

3.70 This raises a number of issues. North Hertfordshire District Council is opposed to the principle of allowing Luton to expand into North Hertfordshire. We are therefore paying close attention to the work being done on the urban capacity of the Luton conurbation so that if a need for greenfield land in North Hertfordshire is identified we are satisfied that the need is a genuine requirement.

3.71 If expansion into North Hertfordshire does occur, we need to try and minimise the impact that it may have on the landscape. In particular, the topography of the area is such that we would not want to see development breach the ridge on which the village of Breachwood Green sits. This area of high ground marks the watershed of the attractive Lilley Bottom valley, which we do not want to see visually affected by development. We also do not believe that there should be development within Putteridge Bury, which is designated as an Historic Park and Garden by English Heritage. In terms of the location, there is likely to be an impact on the existing village of Cockernhoe, which will need very careful consideration so as not to adversely affect the existing character and community of Cockernhoe.

3.72 Apart from the location of development, there will be other impacts. For example, the new housing would be covered by Hertfordshire County Council for education provision, which would make the Luton conurbation straddle three education authorities – Luton Borough, Bedfordshire County (for Dunstable and Houghton Regis) and Hertfordshire. This is something which is already complicated by the fact that Luton has primary and secondary schools, whilst Dunstable and Houghton Regis have lower, middle and upper schools.

3.73 These issues are profound, and cover an area of major change. As such, it is more appropriate to consider them separately to this Core Strategy and prepare a Luton Area Action Plan to cover the expansion. That avoids unnecessary wastage of effort if the growth is ultimately not required. It also enables us to do more detailed work with the inputs from Luton Borough Council, South Bedfordshire District Council and Bedfordshire County Council as is necessary to properly plan such major growth.