Planning application
First And Second Floors 12 - 16 Greyfriars Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 1HP
Still open. Anyone can comment while the consultation period runs, and comments go to the council rather than to us.
Proposal
Prior notification for development consisting of a change of use of a building and any land within its curtilage from a use falling within Class E (commercial, business and service) of Schedule 2 to the Use Classes Order to a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouses) of Schedule 1 to that Order pursuant to Class MA, Part 3, Schedule 2 of GPDO. This is not a planning application because it relates to development that is permitted by Government Regulation. It will not therefore be reported to the Planning Committee but considered by officers under delegated powers. Comments received will be considered. If Officers confirm that the Development can proceed, it must be completed within a period of 3 years starting with the prior approval date.
As published by the council, reference 25/02139/CPNMA
Application record
- Reference
- 25/02139/CPNMA
- Type
- Change Use Class MA Prior Notification
- Status
- Awaiting decision
- Received
- 29 Oct 2025
- Validated
- 29 Oct 2025
- Ward
- Greyfriars
- Parish
- Bedford Town
- Postcode
- MK40 1HP
Timeline
Dates from the published record
-
29 Oct 2025
Received by Bedford
-
19 Aug 2026
Added to PlanIndex
-
Decision
Awaiting decision
Decision expected by 24 December 2025, 8 weeks from validation under the statutory target for most applications. Extensions of time are common and are agreed case by case.
Bedford took a median of 55 days over the applications it decided in the last year.
Documents
Plans, drawings, consultee responses and the officer's report
41 documents on file for this application
A planning file usually holds the application form, drawings and site plans, consultee responses, the officer's report and the decision notice.
Trade members open them from here.
Open the documentsWhat happens while it is decided
The process from here
This application is with Bedford for determination. The council publicises it, consults neighbours and technical bodies where required, and weighs the responses against local and national planning policy.
The statutory target is eight weeks for most applications and thirteen for major development, though extensions of time are common. Comments carry most weight while the case is undecided, so check the council portal for the deadline if you want to respond.
About prior approval applications
How this application type works
Prior approval applications arise where permitted development rights already grant the principle of the work, such as larger home extensions, changes of use to housing or agricultural buildings. The council may only consider the specific matters set out in the rules, for example transport, flooding or appearance, and in many classes the work may proceed if the council does not respond within the deadline, commonly 56 days.
Nearby applications
Within 500 metres
-
18 Greyfriars Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 1HP
83% historically approved · decision due ~21 Sep
Change of use to a hot food takeaway (sui generis), including the installation of a low-level (ESP) ducting system to serve the premises.
Awaiting decision Full applications -
5 Greyfriars Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 1HJ
76% historically approved · decision due ~20 Jul
Change of use from retail (Class A1) to hot food (Class A3) including variation of Condition 3 attached to 00/01556/COU to allow for extended opening hours.
Awaiting decision Amendments 5 docs -
28 Battison Street Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 1QU
76% historically approved · decision due ~30 Sep
Certificate to confirm that the details submitted do not require planning permission (Loft conversion and dormer construction)
Decided Lawful development Loft or dormer -
48 Allhallows And 50 - 53 St Loyes Street Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 1LN
Prior notification for change of use from a use in Class E (commercial, business and service) or betting office, or payday loan shop of schedule 2 of the Use Classes Order, to a mixed use for any purpose in Class E, or betting office, or payday loan shop of the Use Classes Order and as up to 2 flats.
Refused Prior approval New dwelling 25 docsSeveral homes -
30 Allhallows Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 1LN
76% historically approved · decision due ~12 May
Existing ATM surround to be removed and replaced with updated ATM Surround
Awaiting decision Advertising 10 docs -
9 Church Arcade Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 1LQ
17/02280/MAF - Non-Material Minor Amendment for additional render treatment to the facade facing Dane Lane
Granted Amendments 12 docs
Other prior approval applications
In Bedford
-
26/01062/SPNJ Awaiting decision
Bedford Girls School Cardington Road Bedford Bedfordshire MK42 0BX
Prior notification for the installation, alteration or replacement on non-domestic properties of (a) micro-generation solar thermal equipment; (b) micro-generation solar PV equipment; or (c) other solar PV equipment on the roof. This is not a planning application because it relates to development that is permitted by Government Regulation. It will not therefore be reported to the Planning Committee but considered by officers under delegated powers. Comments received will be considered but if notification of a decision is not made to the Applicant within 56 days of the date of registration of the proposal, it can proceed.
-
26/01050/HPN Awaiting decision
15 Galloway Close Kempston Bedford Bedfordshire MK42 7DX
Prior notification for single storey rear extension(s) between 3 and 6 metres depth. This is not a planning application because it relates to development that is permitted by Government Regulation. It will not therefore be reported to the Planning Committee but considered by officers under delegated powers. Only objections from adjoining neighbours can be considered.
-
26/00999/CPNQ Awaiting decision
Woodleys Farm House Knotting Road Melchbourne Bedford Bedfordshire MK44 1AG
Prior notification for change of use from an Agricultural building to a dwellinghouse(s) (Use Class C3) including associated building operations reasonably necessary to convert the building. This is not a planning application because it relates to development that is permitted by Government Regulation. It will not therefore be reported to the Planning Committee but considered by officers under delegated powers. Comments received will be considered but if notification of a decision is not made to the Applicant within 56 days of the date of registration of the proposal, it can proceed. If Officers confirm that the development can proceed, it must be completed within a period of 3 years starting with the prior approval date.
-
26/00787/HPN Granted
120 Ashmead Road Bedford Bedfordshire MK41 7FD
Prior notification for single storey rear extension(s) between 4 and 8 metres depth. This is not a planning application because it relates to development that is permitted by Government Regulation. It will not therefore be reported to the Planning Committee but considered by officers under delegated powers. Only objections from adjoining neighbours can be considered
-
26/00578/CPNMA Refused
13 Howard Avenue Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 4EA
Prior notification for development consisting of a change of use of a building and any land within its curtilage from a use falling within Class E (commercial, business and service) of Schedule 2 to the Use Classes Order to a use falling within Class C3 (dwellinghouses) of Schedule 1 to that Order pursuant to Class MA, Part 3, Schedule 2 of GPDO. This is not a planning application because it relates to development that is permitted by Government Regulation. It will not therefore be reported to the Planning Committee but considered by officers under delegated powers. Comments received will be considered. If Officers confirm that the Development can proceed, it must be completed within a period of 3 years starting with the prior approval date.