14 Thomas James Close Elstow Bedford Bedfordshire MK42 9BQ

1. 29 Jul 2024

   Received by Bedford

2. 21 Aug 2024

   Decision issued: Certificate Refused

3. 19 Aug 2026

   Added to PlanIndex

The council refused this application for the reasons set out on the decision notice, which the council portal holds in full. Only the applicant can appeal a refusal; the time limit runs from the decision date and is shorter for householder schemes.

Refusal does not prevent a fresh attempt. Applicants often address the reasons for refusal and resubmit, so a refused scheme is not necessarily the end of proposals for the site.

A lawful development certificate is a legal determination, not a planning judgement. It asks the council to confirm either that existing use or works are lawful, often through the passage of time, or that a proposal would not need planning permission at all. The applicant must prove the facts; the merits of the scheme are not considered.

More on lawful development applications in our guide

• 233 West End Elstow Bedford Bedfordshire MK42 9XS

  26/00996/TCA Submitted 26 May 2026 279m away

  Cedar - Crown lift - likely 2-3 meters to reduce the overshadowing of neighbouring property.

  Decided Trees 7 docs

• 39 Harewood Road Bedford Bedfordshire MK42 9TG

  19/02456/FUL Submitted 5 Nov 2019 287m away

  Two storey side extension and loft conversion including front and rear roof dormer windows

  Refused Full applications Extension Loft or dormer +1 17 docs

• Pioneer Park 200 Ampthill Road Bedford Bedfordshire MK42 9BW

  26/00829/ADV Submitted 30 Apr 2026 471m away

  76% historically approved · decision due ~30 Jun

  Installation of 1 internally illuminated pylon sign, 1 internally illuminated fascia sign and 2 non-illuminated fascia signs.

  Awaiting decision Advertising 13 docs

• 256 Ampthill Road Bedford Bedfordshire MK42 9QJ

  21/02961/FUL Submitted 8 Nov 2021 485m away

  Single storey rear extension

  Granted Full applications Extension 22 docs
  Small domestic

• 26/01698/LDE Awaiting decision

  The Spinney Sandye Lane Swineshead Bedford Bedfordshire MK44 2AE

  Certificate to confirm that the current occupation and operation of the whole Property remains use as a dwellinghouse within Class C3 of Schedule 1 to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended). The primary case is that the use falls within Class C3(b). Class C3(a) is advanced expressly in the alternative. On either basis, no material change of use from the established C3 use has occurred.

  3 Sep 2026 Lawful development
• 26/01659/LDP Decided

  40 Church End Renhold Bedford Bedfordshire MK41 0LU

  Certificate to confirm that the details submitted do not require planning permission (Erection of porch to side)

  27 Aug 2026 Lawful development
• 26/01639/LDE Awaiting decision

  27 Whitbread Avenue Bedford Bedfordshire MK42 9DY

  Certificate to confirm existing use of the property as a five-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), Use Class C4, accommodating no more than six unrelated occupiers sharing communal facilities.

  24 Aug 2026 Lawful development
• 26/01512/LDP Decided

  28 Battison Street Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 1QU

  Certificate to confirm that the details submitted do not require planning permission (Loft conversion and dormer construction)

  5 Aug 2026 Lawful development
• 26/01486/LDE Awaiting decision

  Priory Farm Bedford Road Turvey Bedford MK43 8BB

  Certificate to confirm that planning permission 19/00390/FUL, which was granted on appeal (reference APP/K0235/W/20/3255478) on 1 June 2021 for 'conversion of granary barn, stable block and piggery to 3 dwellings', has been lawfully commenced by carrying out a material operation prior to the expiry of the permission on 1 June 2024 (set out by condition 1 imposed on the permission).

  3 Aug 2026 Lawful development