73 Oatlands Drive Wixams Bedford Bedfordshire MK45 3NT

1. 18 May 2026

   Received by Bedford

2. 20 May 2026

   Validated

   Checked as complete and ready for consideration.

3. 2 Jun 2026

   Decision issued: Certificate Approved

4. 19 Aug 2026

   Added to PlanIndex

Permission has been granted, usually subject to conditions listed on the decision notice, some of which must be discharged before work starts. The decision notice on the council portal sets out exactly what was approved.

Work must normally begin within three years of the decision or the permission lapses. Neighbours cannot appeal a grant; challenging one means judicial review of how the decision was made, within tight time limits.

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

• 61 Oatlands Drive, Wixams, Houghton Conquest, Bedford, MK45 3NS

  CB/23/00820/LDCP Submitted 8 Mar 2023 89m away

  Lawful Development Certificate Proposed: loft conversion, rear facing dormer, front facing velux roof lights and side facing window

  Granted Lawful development Loft or dormer Windows or glazing 18 docs

• 26 Meadow Road, Wixams, Houghton Conquest, Bedford, MK45 3GJ

  CB/26/00288/FULL Submitted 30 Jan 2026 149m away

  85% historically approved · decision due ~10 Apr

  Change of Use from (C3) to Childrens Home (C2)

  Awaiting decision Full applications 20 docs

• 1 Four Acre Drive, Wixams, Houghton Conquest, Bedford, MK45 3GT

  CB/22/00929/LDCP Submitted 7 Mar 2022 263m away

  Lawful Development Certificate Proposed - [1] 1.8m timber fence per submitted plans and submissions [2] to confirm use of the land edged red will be lawful as residential garden land

  Refused Lawful development 41 docs
  Small domestic

• 1 Four Acre Drive, Wixams, Houghton Conquest, Bedford, MK45 3GT

  CB/21/05170/FULL Submitted 22 Nov 2021 263m away

  Erection of fence (brick wall)

  Granted Full applications 10 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