Planning permission in Central Bedfordshire

In the last 12 months, 88.9% of home project applications were approved in Central Bedfordshire (407 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eleven weeks (median 74 days).

Across all application types, 88.5% of 6,734 applications decided since April 2023 were approved. Based on Central Bedfordshire's public planning register. Data last updated: 13 May 2026.

8,516Total applications
6,734Decided
88.5%Approval rate (of decided)
5,957 Approved+777 Refused+810 Withdrawn+885 Pending+87 Outcome not determined=8,516 Total
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Decision Level
5,572Delegated
By Development Category

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

CategoryDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
Full planning applications 3,435 2,864 571
83.4%
Discharging planning conditions 1,191 1,191 0 no refusals recorded
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development) 576 543 33
94.3%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a) 310 291 19
93.9%
Listed Building Consent 268 248 20
92.5%
Changing a planning condition (S73) 251 227 24
90.4%
GPD - Larger Extensions 115 113 2
98.3%
Advertisement Consent 110 101 9
91.8%
Certificate of lawfulness (existing use) 76 55 21
72.4%
Minerals and waste 49 49 0 no refusals recorded
Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) 45 44 1
97.8%
Regulation 3 44 44 0 no refusals recorded
Outline Planning 39 8 31
20.5%
Agricultural Development 34 26 8
76.5%
P.Notif. Agricultural to Dwelling 28 19 9
67.9%
P.Notif. Comm (Class E) to Dwellinghouse 26 22 4
84.6%
Other* 137 112 25 mixed types

Discharging planning conditions: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Minerals and waste: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

Regulation 3: no refusals are recorded in this category for this authority, so no approval rate is shown.

* Other combines smaller categories: Planning in Principle (17), Overhead Electricity Line (17), P.Notif. Solar Photovoltaics (17), Demolition (17), Phone masts and telecoms (16), Biodiversity Net Gain Discharge of Cond. (12), Section 106 Mod/Discharge (9), P.Notif. Agricultural Proposed Road (7), Agri buildings to flexible commercial (6), P.Notif. Enlarge Dwelling Addn Storeys (4), Railway Determination (4), Local Development Order (2), Technical Details Consent (2), Temp Rec Campsite in Flood Zone 2 or 3 (2), P.Notif Addn Storeys on Blocks of Flats (1), Local Development Order Notification (1), P.Notif. Comm (Class E) to Mixed Use (1), P.Notif. Agricultural to Offices/Shops (1), Regulation 46 - Location Risk Assessment (1).

Quarterly Trend

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

QuarterDecidedApprovedApproval rate
Q3 2023 219 203
92.7%
Q4 2023 586 524
89.4%
Q1 2024 608 528
86.8%
Q2 2024 596 532
89.3%
Q3 2024 592 509
86.0%
Q4 2024 629 551
87.6%
Q1 2025 632 547
86.6%
Q2 2025 665 599
90.1%
Q3 2025 564 497
88.1%
Q4 2025 513 450
87.7%
Q1 2026 597 528
88.4%
Q2 2026 10 10 sample too small
By Ward

All wards, across all years.

WardDecidedApprovedRefusedApproval rate
No ward data available
Frequently asked questions
What is the planning approval rate in Central Bedfordshire?
In the last 12 months, 88.9% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Central Bedfordshire, based on 407 decided applications. Across all application types, 88.5% of 6,734 applications decided since April 2023 were approved.
How long does a planning decision take in Central Bedfordshire?
The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Central Bedfordshire in the last 12 months was 74 days (about eleven weeks). Times vary case by case.
Do I need planning permission in Central Bedfordshire?
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 Central Bedfordshire?
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.

Reports for Central Bedfordshire are coming soon. Look up an address now to see its constraints, and join the waitlist.