Planiverse / Authorities / Bedford

Bedford

In the last 12 months, 64.7% of full planning applications were approved in Bedford (51 decided). A typical decision takes about eight weeks (median 56 days).

Across all application types on record (2023-01-26–2026-07-01): 78.6% of 718 decisions approved.

1,475Total applications
564Approved
154Refused
29Withdrawn
526Pending
78.6%Approval rate (all types)
Check a property in Bedford
Decision Level
632Officers (Delegated)
327Not Available
77Prior Notification
59Certificate of lawfulness
22Withdrawn
7Local Planning Authority request
5Committee
2Disposed Of
1Legal Department
By Development Category
CategoryTotalApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Discharge of Conditions 316 272 44
86.1%
Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed) 93 65 28
69.9%
Full Planning Application 92 67 25
72.8%
Non-Material Amendment (S96a) 53 36 17
67.9%
Tree Works (TPO) 31 27 4
87.1%
Prior Approval (Other) 24 16 8
66.7%
Listed Building Consent 23 18 5
78.3%
Change of Use 14 11 3
78.6%
Variation/Removal of Conditions (S73) 9 8 1
88.9%
Certificate of Lawfulness (Existing) 9 5 4
55.6%
Prior Approval (Class MA — Commercial to Residential) 8 4 4
50.0%
Local Authority Consultation Request 8 8 0
100.0%
Environmental Screening Request 7 7 0
100.0%
Advertisement Consent 7 6 1
85.7%
Telecommunications 6 2 4
33.3%
Planning Permission in Principle 6 3 3
50.0%
Reserved Matters 2 1 1
50.0%
Major Full and Change of Use 2 2 0
100.0%
Overhead Electricity Lines 2 2 0
100.0%
Major District Council Reg 3 2 2 0
100.0%
Prior Approval (Class Q — Agricultural to Residential) 1 0 1
0.0%
District Council Reg 3 1 1 0
100.0%
Householder (Prior Approval) 1 0 1
0.0%
Outline Planning 1 1 0
100.0%
Quarterly Trend
QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
2023-Q3 26 22
84.6%
2023-Q4 4 4
100.0%
2024-Q1 5 3
60.0%
2024-Q2 5 2
40.0%
2025-Q1 1 1
100.0%
2025-Q2 44 32
72.7%
2025-Q3 125 109
87.2%
2025-Q4 234 184
78.6%
2026-Q1 213 157
73.7%
2026-Q2 12 10
83.3%
By Ward
WardTotalApprovedRefusedApproval 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 47 39 8
83.0%
Sharnbrook 41 38 3
92.7%
Kempston Central & East 31 24 7
77.4%
De Parys 29 25 4
86.2%
Shortstown 27 24 3
88.9%
Harpur 27 20 7
74.1%
Clapham & Oakley 26 24 2
92.3%
Wootton & Kempston Rural 26 22 4
84.6%
Planning guides

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