Planning permission in Bedford

Limited recent decision data is available for Bedford, so we don't show a headline approval rate here. The figures below cover all application types on record.

Outcome data is limited for Bedford: only 724 of 1,600 applications on record have a decision we can read, so we do not show an approval rate. Based on Bedford's public planning register. Data last updated: 22 August 2026.

1,600Total applications

724Decided

Not shownCoverage below 50%

569 Approved+155 Refused+29 Withdrawn+635 Pending+212 Outcome not determined=1,600 Total

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By Development Category

All applications on record, not only the last 12 months.

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Discharging planning conditions	318	274	44	86.2%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	95	66	29	69.5%
Full planning applications	92	67	25	72.8%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	55	38	17	69.1%
Protected tree works (TPO)	31	27	4	87.1%
Prior approval (permitted development)	24	16	8	66.7%
Listed Building Consent	23	18	5	78.3%
Other*	86	63	23	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Change of Use (14), Changing a planning condition (S73) (9), Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) (9), Change of use to homes (prior approval, Class MA) (8), Local Authority Consultation Request (8), Environmental Screening Request (7), Advertisement Consent (7), Phone masts and telecoms (6), Planning Permission in Principle (6), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (2), Major Full and Change of Use (2), Overhead Electricity Lines (2), Major District Council Reg 3 (2), Barn to home conversion (prior approval, Class Q) (1), District Council Reg 3 (1), Larger extensions (householder prior approval) (1), Outline Planning (1).

Quarterly Trend

The most recent three years. Earlier decisions are included in the totals above but not in this chart.

Quarter	Decided	Approved	Approval rate
Q3 2023	6	6	sample too small
Q4 2023	4	4	sample too small
Q1 2024	5	3	sample too small
Q2 2024	5	2	sample too small
Q1 2025	1	1	sample too small
Q2 2025	44	32	72.7%
Q3 2025	125	109	87.2%
Q4 2025	234	184	78.6%
Q1 2026	213	157	73.7%
Q2 2026	12	10	sample too small
Q3 2026 (quarter in progress)	6	5	sample too small

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 75 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 72.0% in Castle & Newnham to 92.7% in Sharnbrook, a gap of 20.7 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Riseley	72	62	10	86.1%
Wyboston	58	43	15	74.1%
Wixams & Wilstead	58	49	9	84.5%
Castle & Newnham	50	36	14	72.0%
Bromham	48	40	8	83.3%
Sharnbrook	41	38	3	92.7%
Kempston Central & East	31	24	7	77.4%
De Parys	29	25	4	86.2%
Harpur	27	20	7	74.1%
Shortstown	27	24	3	88.9%
Clapham & Oakley	27	24	3	88.9%
Great Barford	26	19	7	73.1%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Bedford?

Across all application types, 78.6% of 724 applications decided in Bedford since January 2023 were approved.

Do I need planning permission in Bedford?

It depends on the project and the property. Many home projects fall under permitted development rights, but constraints such as conservation areas, listed buildings and Article 4 directions change what needs permission at a specific address. See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.

Do I need a planning consultant in Bedford?

Many home projects do not need one. A straightforward extension on an unconstrained property is often handled directly with the council, or with an architect or agent preparing the drawings. A consultant is more likely to earn their fee where the site is constrained, the council has refused similar schemes, or an appeal is in prospect. Understanding your property's constraints and the council's recent decisions first makes any conversation with a professional a better-informed one.

Planning guides

Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights, Article 4 directions and planning costs.

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