A PLAN to build 5,500 homes and a northern and eastern bypass on Hertfordshire Green Belt has been approved by two Bedfordshire councils. The scheme to expand Luton in line with government housing targets has been put through as the preferred option by

A PLAN to build 5,500 homes and a northern and eastern bypass on Hertfordshire Green Belt has been approved by two Bedfordshire councils.

The scheme to expand Luton in line with government housing targets has been put through as the 'preferred option' by a joint Luton Borough and South Beds council planning committee at Luton Town Hall today (Friday).

Options to expand to the west and to build a northern bypass nearer to the town, both within Bedfordshire were rejected.

The plan will now go through a six-week public consultation period with North Herts District Council and Herts County Council saying they will fight the scheme.