41 Sutherland Lane Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 4TL

1. 4 Mar 2026

   Received by Bedford

2. 10 Apr 2026

   Validated

   Checked as complete and ready for consideration.

3. 7 May 2026

   Decision issued: Certificate Refused

4. 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

• 49 Seaforth Gardens Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 4TJ

  25/01927/S73A Submitted 26 Sep 2025 87m away

  76% historically approved · decision due ~20 Jan

  Landscaping of Garden with addition of a Summerhouse and storage shed. Installation of 3 external air conditioning units.

  Awaiting decision Amendments 20 docs
  Small domestic

• 248 Bromham Road Biddenham Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 4AA

  26/00598/FUL Submitted 26 Mar 2026 351m away

  First floor side and rear extension and garage conversion with new front bay window

  Granted Full applications Extension Windows or glazing 9 docs

• 7 Biddenham Turn Biddenham Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 4AT

  26/01471/TPO Submitted 29 Jul 2026 383m away

  76% historically approved · decision due ~23 Sep

  T1 Oak - Lift crown over the road to 6m above ground level.

  Awaiting decision Trees

• 16 Biddenham Turn Biddenham Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 4AT

  26/01267/FUL Submitted 4 Jul 2026 383m away

  83% historically approved · decision due ~15 Sep

  To demolish the existing 2 storey detached, 5 bedroom dwelling and construct a replacement 2.5 storey detached, 7 bedroom dwelling with the second floor being within the roof void. Associated external works.

  Awaiting decision Full applications Demolition
  Domestic

• 6 Elger Close Biddenham Bedford Bedfordshire MK40 4AU

  26/01426/FUL Submitted 22 Jul 2026 450m away

  83% historically approved · decision due ~16 Sep

  First floor rear extension.

  Awaiting decision Full applications Extension

• 9 Elger Close Biddenham Bedford MK40 4AU

  04/00002/FUL Submitted 5 Jan 2004 452m away

  Two storey side extension.

  Granted Full applications Extension 9 docs

• 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