1 Horace Close Shortstown Bedford Bedfordshire MK42 0GA

1. 9 Feb 2026

   Received by Bedford

2. 14 May 2026

   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

• Shortstown Primary School Beauvais Square Shortstown Bedford Bedfordshire MK42 0GS

  26/00744/TPO Submitted 20 Apr 2026 201m away

  76% historically approved · decision due ~14 Jul

  G1 - Willow, Prune all trees back from the building to allow a minimum clearance of 2 feet (approximately 600 mm). G2 - Willow and Alder, re-coppice. T1 - Horse Chestnut, Fell. T2 - Willow, 20% crown reduction.

  Awaiting decision Trees

• 51 Beauvais Avenue Shortstown Bedford Bedfordshire MK42 0GD

  26/00836/S73A Submitted 1 May 2026 255m away

  76% historically approved · decision due ~26 Jun

  Part retrospective planning permission for garage conversion and insertion of external garden door for access to garden

  Awaiting decision Amendments 11 docs

• 34 Conder Boulevard Shortstown Bedford Bedfordshire MK42 0GL

  26/00727/LDP Submitted 16 Apr 2026 300m away

  Certificate to confirm that the details submitted do not require planning permission (Proposed loft conversion with Velux rooflights front and rear)

  Granted Lawful development Loft or dormer 13 docs

• RAF Cardington The Highway Shortstown Bedfordshire MK42 0TE

  21/01382/AOC Submitted 14 May 2021 342m away

  20/00901/EIA - Condition 7 - MUGA Details (Discharge of condition)

  Granted Conditions 11 docs

• Land Adjacent Lea Cottage Old Harrowden Road Harrowden Bedford Bedfordshire MK42 0TB

  26/00937/OUT Submitted 15 May 2026 432m away

  76% historically approved · decision due ~19 Aug

  Outline application with all matters reserved except access, for the demolition of an existing stable block and shed and erection of one self- or custom-build dwelling with associated infrastructure.

  Awaiting decision Outline Demolition
  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