Do I need planning permission?

Step 1: Check the site is in the Bedford Borough Council area

Check the Bedford parish map (PDF)

Step 2: Are the works permitted development?

Check what is permitted development and what this means on the interactive guides on the planning portal.

See other useful guidance:

For confirmation that something is, or is not, permitted development, you must:

submit a lawful development certificate proposed if the proposal has not been carried out
submit a lawful development certificate existing if your proposal has already been carried out

The links above provide the fee details and what needs to be submitted.

Step 3: Finding planning guidance online

Our How to guides provide assistance with planning matters. For example:

how to find use classes of buildings / land
how to amend planning applications (Guide 6)
discharge conditions
how to find applications and documents

Please also see the following pages for:

Listed buildings and conservation areas including the conservation area maps
Protected trees: subject to a Tree Preservation Order or in a conservation area
Heritage statements and when they are required
Shopfronts and advertisements in conservation areas (PDF)
Hedgerow legislation
High hedge complaints

You may want to appoint a professional (agent) to act on your behalf, this can be anyone that you wish to appoint, for example a builder, architect, planning consultant, loft company or someone familiar with the planning process.

If you choose to use an agent for your planning advice request, then all correspondence and enquiries will be with your agent, so please contact them if you have any queries.

Step 4: submit a planning enquiry for a response from planning

For a response from planning please see the fees and exemptions list (PDF) and complete the request for pre-application planning advice online below. The e-form will quote the relevant fee, accept payment, and you can attach relevant documentation. Please ensure the description of the development is clear and detailed on the form, failure to do so will result in the request being invalidated.

Important note before you submit the form: This advice is informal only and not legally binding and will only be based upon the information you supply. If you want legal certainty that something is permitted development / does not need planning permission prior to any works commencing, please submit a lawful development certificate application instead on the planning application forms page (form 15). If the development has already taken place you cannot submit a PREAPP request, this can only be done via a lawful development existing certificate (LDE).

If you opt for pre-application advice instead of a lawful development proposed certificate, you may still receive advice from the planning department directing you to submit a subsequent lawful development certificate.

Request for pre-application and other planning advice

You can also request a paper form: Request for pre-application advice form (PDF)

Other payment methods:

telephone on 01234 718068 during business hours detailed here
cheque to Bedford Borough Council quoting on the back the site address or e-form number provided after you submit.

You must supply an Ordnance Survey, to scale, location plan with the site outlined in red. This must not be a screenshot or copy from any website. All other documentation or information to be supplied is detailed on the forms.

For details on personal data please see the privacy notice on the e-form and the details on www.bedford.gov.uk/planningpersonaldata. Please also note pre-application documentation can be released under EIR and FOI regulations.

Archaeology advice

Minerals and waste pre-application enquiries

The minerals and waste planning service is provided by a team based at Central Bedfordshire Council. All minerals and waste related enquiries should be sent to: MWapplications@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

See full details of the charging scheme:

Reasons to register for an account