How many planning applications has Bedford Borough Council received?

Bedford Borough Council received 919 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 81%.

How long does Bedford Borough Council take to decide planning applications?

Bedford Borough Council takes an average of 48 days to decide planning applications. The statutory target is 8 weeks (56 days) for householder and minor applications, and 13 weeks for major applications.

What is the planning approval rate for Bedford Borough Council?

Bedford Borough Council approves 81% of planning applications. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

How do I object to a planning application in Bedford Borough Council?

To object to a Bedford Borough Council planning application, you must submit your representation to Bedford Borough Council during the public consultation period — typically 21 days from the date the application was publicised. Planning Signal shows you the consultation deadline for each application and links directly to the Bedford Borough Council planning portal where objections can be submitted.

Can I appeal a Bedford Borough Council planning decision?

Yes. If Bedford Borough Council refuses your planning application, you can appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. 1857 appeals were lodged against Bedford Borough Council decisions in the last 24 months, with a 27% success rate.

Bedford Borough Council Planning Applications

Q: How do I search Bedford Borough Council planning applications?

You can search Bedford Borough Council planning applications by postcode on Planning Signal. Enter any postcode in the Bedford Borough Council area to see all nearby applications, filter by type, and track decisions in real time.

Search and explore Bedford Borough Council planning applications. Planning Signal is your free alternative to the Bedford Borough Council planning portal — search all recent applications, track decisions, and get alerts on new developments in the area.

Region: East of England

About Bedford Borough Council

Bedford Borough Council serves as the local authority for the Borough of Bedford, located within the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire, England. This council oversees planning applications and local governance, making it a key resource for those interested in development and land use in the area.

Governance

Chair: Tom Wootton (Conservative), since 9 May 2023

Chief Executive: Laura Church, since October 2021

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Last election: 4 May 2023

Political composition: Liberal Democrats (13), Labour (12), Green (4), Independent (3)

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to Bedford Borough Council, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Bedford Borough Council
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in Bedford Borough Council mention key planning constraints like heritage, flood risk, and environmental concerns
Council Boundary Map - Interactive map showing the council boundary and application locations
Full Details - View complete application details, dates and decision status

Council Insights

Property Prices

Average property sale price: £357,130 (based on 50 recent transactions from HM Land Registry).

Area Information

Admin district: Central Bedfordshire
Parliamentary constituency: Mid Bedfordshire
LSOA: Central Bedfordshire 015B

Crime Statistics

50 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Crime Breakdown

anti-social-behaviour: 15
violent-crime: 15
criminal-damage-arson: 6
public-order: 3
burglary: 2
shoplifting: 2
vehicle-crime: 2
other-crime: 2
drugs: 1
other-theft: 1
possession-of-weapons: 1

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications in Bedford Borough Council.

Ecology & Wildlife Constraints (keywords: bats, bat survey, bat roost, great crested newt, GCN...)
Trees & Landscape (keywords: tree preservation order, TPO, arboricultural, tree survey, root protection area...)
Flood & Drainage (keywords: flood zone 2, flood zone 3, flood risk assessment, FRA, surface water...)
Heritage & Conservation (keywords: listed building, grade II, grade II*, grade I, conservation area...)
Green Belt (keywords: green belt, inappropriate development, very special circumstances, openness)
Highways & Access (keywords: visibility splays, highway authority objection, access arrangement, parking provision, transport statement...)
Refusal & Risk Indicators (keywords: refusal, delegated refusal, appeal dismissed, overdevelopment, character and appearance...)
Planning Process & Appeals (keywords: appeal lodged, appeal allowed, appeal dismissed, public inquiry, inspector)

Planning Activity Summary

Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Bedford Borough Council based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Towns and villages in Bedford Borough Council

317 towns and villages. Click any town to search for planning applications nearby.

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the Bedford Borough Council area.

Monitoring Stations

4 flood monitoring stations near Bedford Borough Council.

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A brief summary of Bedford Borough Council

The average property sale price in the Bedford Borough Council area is £357,130, based on 50 recent transactions.

The Bedford Borough Council area recorded 50 crimes in the most recent reporting period. Prospective residents may wish to review the detailed crime breakdown for further context.

Conservation Areas

There are 28 designated conservation areas within the Bedford Borough Council area. Planning applications within or near these areas are subject to additional scrutiny to preserve architectural and historic character. Permitted development rights may be restricted.

Conservation areas include: Bedford, Bletsoe, Cardington, Carlton and Chellington, Elstow, Farndish, Felmersham, Great Barford, Great Barford Hill, Great Barford Green End, and 18 more.

Ecology & Nature Designations

The Bedford Borough Council area includes 1 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): Cooper's Hill SSSI. These designations may affect planning decisions, as proposals near protected sites require environmental impact assessment and may face additional restrictions.

The council area encompasses 317 towns and villages, including Ampthill, Bedford, Biggleswade, Dunstable, Houghton Regis and Kempston. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search Bedford Borough Council Planning Applications

Planning Signal provides a free, fast planning search for Bedford Borough Council. Use the postcode search above to find planning applications near any address in the Bedford Borough Council area. Unlike the official Bedford Borough Council planning portal, Planning Signal lets you save searches, watch individual applications, and receive email alerts when decisions are made or new applications are submitted nearby.

Whether you're a resident checking Bedford Borough Council planning applications near your home, a homeowner tracking your own application, or a property professional monitoring the local market, Planning Signal gives you the tools to stay informed about planning and development across Bedford Borough Council.

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 919 planning applications Bedford Borough Council received. Of these, 81% were approved, with an average decision time of 48 days.

This is below the national average of approximately 87%, which may reflect stricter local policies, sensitivity of the area, or higher levels of speculative applications. Pre-application advice is particularly worthwhile in Bedford Borough Council.

The average decision time of 48 days is within the government's 8-week statutory target for minor applications, indicating an efficient planning department.

The most common application types in Bedford Borough Council were discharge of conditions (240), outline applications (161), amendments (160).

In terms of development scale, 29 large-scale (major) developments, 108 medium-scale applications, 782 smaller schemes were submitted. The high volume of major applications indicates significant development pressure in the area, which may interest property developers and investors.

1,857 planning appeals were lodged against Bedford Borough Council decisions, of which 438 were allowed and 1,164 were dismissed (27% success rate).

Application Outcomes

Approved: 422 applications
Refused: 83 applications
Withdrawn: 13 applications
Awaiting decision: 401 applications

Related Planning Guides

What Is Planning Permission in the UK? — Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.
What Is Permitted Development? — Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use without the need to apply for planning permission.
How Long Does Planning Permission Take? — Typical timelines for planning permission decisions in the UK, from submission to approval, and what can cause delays.