Planning authority
Bedford Borough Council
Adopted plan 6.8 years old; plan in preparation: submitted; HDT 94%.
- Plan over 5 years old
Adopted plan
| Plan | Bedford Local Plan 2030 |
| Adopted | 15 January 2020 |
| Age | 6.8 years |
| Plan period | –2030 |
| Council's page | The adopted plan |
Plan in preparation
| Plan | Local Plan 2040 |
| Stage | Submitted |
| Latest event | Submit plan for examination, 12 January 2023 |
| Next dated event | None dated |
| Council's page | The plan in preparation |
From the national planning data platform, which can lag behind the council. Known gaps
Housing Delivery Test
| Measurement | 94% (2025) |
Applications
| Period | July 2025 to June 2026 |
| Received | 1,068 |
| Decided | 1,060 |
| Granted | 839 (79%; England 87%) |
| Refused | 221 |
| Major applications decided | 62, of which 42 granted |
| Quarter | Received | Decided | Granted | Refused |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July to September 2025 | 238 | 262 | 221 | 41 |
| October to December 2025 | 259 | 256 | 203 | 53 |
| January to March 2026 | 270 | 221 | 160 | 61 |
| April to June 2026 | 301 | 321 | 255 | 66 |
Appeals
| Decided | 1 September 2021 to 28 August 2026 |
| Planning appeals | 256: 69 allowed, 1 split, 186 dismissed |
| Householder appeals | 130: 47 allowed, 6 split, 77 dismissed |
| Allowed in full or in part | 32% (England 32%) |
Latest planning appeals
| Decided | Site | Development | Procedure | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 August 2026 | 54 Tithe Barn Road, Wootton, Beds, MK43 9EZ Application 25/01658/FUL | Minor Dwellings, 1 home | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 24 July 2026 | Footpath outside 1 Thurlow Street, Bedford, MK40 1LR Application 25/02333/TELFUL | Other minor developments | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 24 July 2026 | Footpath outside, 36 Midland Rd, Bedford, MK40 1PS Application 25/02331/TELFUL | Other minor developments | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 24 July 2026 | Land North of Hall End Road, Wootton, Bedford, MK43 9HP Application 24/02439/MAO | Major dwellings, 90 homes | Hearing | Allowed |
| 23 July 2026 | 1 Park Road, Kempston, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 8NY Application 25/01648/COU | Change of use | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 13 July 2026 | Land Adjacent 26 Ford Lane, Roxton, Bedford, MK44 3EG Application 25/01605/PIP | Minor Dwellings, 9 homes | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 13 July 2026 | 48 High Street, Wilden, Bedford, MK44 2QD Application 25/02387/FUL | Minor Dwellings, 1 home | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 10 July 2026 | Blue Diamond Garden Centre, Sandy Lane, Willington, Bedfordshire, mk44 3qp Application 25/01563/FUL | Other minor developments | Written Representations | Dismissed |
| 10 July 2026 | 10 Hartwell Drive, Kempston, MK42 8UY Application 25/02155/S73A | Change of use | Written Representations | Allowed |
| 6 July 2026 | Land rear of 120 Stagsden Road, Bromham, MK43 8QJ Application 25/01460/S73A | Unknown, 1 home | Written Representations | Dismissed |
Each outcome links to the case on the Planning Inspectorate's site, where the decision letter is published.
Changes recorded
- 17 October 2026 Records added late or corrected (not new this week): plan in preparation now shown as Local Plan 2040 (Submitted)