Residents are being asked to vote on the “The Cople Neighbourhood Planning Referendum” on Thursday 5th February 2026
This takes place at Cople Village Hall, Grange Lane, open for voting between 7am and 10pm
This is an important vote. Robert Belew has kindly summarised and clarified the referendum, as follows…
A number of residents have mentioned some understandable confusion about the polling cards that have recently dropped through doors in Cople. Just to be absolutely clear, this is not a local election and it is not about the recent Bloor Homes presentations.
The poll card is for a local referendum on whether Cople should adopt its own Neighbourhood Plan.
The Cople Neighbourhood Plan has been written by local residents over several years, following consultation, evidence gathering and independent examination. This vote is the final step. If residents vote in favour, the Plan becomes part of the statutory planning framework and must be used when planning decisions are made.
So why does this matter for Cople, particularly now?
At present, Bedford Borough does not have a confirmed five-year housing land supply. That triggers what is known as the “tilted balance” in planning decision-making. In simple terms, it means speculative development proposals are much harder to resist, because national policy carries extra weight over local concerns.
A made Neighbourhood Plan is one of the very few effective defences villages like Cople have in this situation. Once adopted, it carries legal weight and must be taken into account alongside national policy. Without it, decisions are far more exposed to speculative applications.
The Plan helps by:
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protecting Cople’s green spaces and rural setting
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guiding where and how development should take place
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supporting the character of the village rather than large or unsuitable schemes
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improving walking routes, safety and connectivity
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strengthening the village’s position when dealing with developers
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Without a Neighbourhood Plan, decisions are largely driven by borough-wide policies and national pressures. With one in place, Cople’s locally agreed priorities genuinely matter.
Whatever your view, this vote is your opportunity to decide whether the village adopts the Plan that local residents have worked hard to prepare.
Please take a moment to read about it and use your vote on Thursday 5th February 2026.
You can view the full proposed Cople Neighbourhood Plan here:
The Neighbourhood Plan Referendum will be on Thursday 5 February 2026 at Cople Village Hall between the hours of 7am and 10pm.
Robert Bellew,
Chair
Cople Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group