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We have compiled lots your common questions related to CON29 and local land charges searches to help you navigate the systems used. 

Before you get started

Please check which council the property is within as we can only deal with enquiries for within Bedford Borough (and not Central Bedfordshire or Luton councils).

Please use find your local council to check that your search area belongs to us.

How to find planning documents revealed on the search results

Go to www.bedford.gov.uk/searchplans and see each section below for detailed information. Refer to the how-to guides for further help and guidance.

Planning documents are stored online, listed by their planning reference only: 

  • In year order, following a format like “23/01120/FUL,” where 23 represents the year, 01120 a 5-digit sequential number, and FUL the application type. Not all older applications have the letters on the end, and some can be 4-digit, not 5.
  • Tree preservation orders follow a format like “03-2004” or “7 190 2 203 (01 - 1961).”

Several documents may have been combined, so open, scroll all the way down, and check.

Finding the different types of planning documents

How do I find planning decision notices online?

Click ‘View decision notices and S106 documents 1948-2025.” The documents are stored in year and number order, from 1948 – to date.

How can I find former Bedfordshire County Council decisions?

With applications like BC/CC/2009/3, BC was a council identifier for the former Bedfordshire County Council. Click on the link “View Bedfordshire County Council applications.” 

How do I find a section 106 agreement online?

A section 106 agreement is issued as part of a planning application. It is stored with those decision notices by their planning application reference number, under “View decision notices and S106 documents 1948-2025.” 

The “Authority reference” for s 106 agreements is an internal LLC reference, not the planning reference, and you cannot use it to find the documents online. The “Description” might say what the planning reference is. Otherwise, it will be one of the planning permissions on the search results. 

For the example below, the planning reference is 23/01120/FUL. 

Example on the search results: 

Authority reference: 62/24-23/01120/FUL

Description:

Planning obligation dated 12/03/2024 made under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 
Regulating or restricting the use of land at 2 Spring Road Kempston
Planning permission: 23/01120/FUL 

What if a section 106 entry on the search results is missing the planning reference?

Contact Local Land Charges who will be able to assist, email: Local.LandCharges@bedford.gov.uk .

I have found a copy of section 106 agreement online but need to submit an enquiry.

For section 106 compliance, discharge, or any other information requests, go to www.bedford.gov.uk/s106agreements and click “Planning obligations (Section 106) information request.” There is a fee applicable for this service.

How can I view planning applications before 1974?

Planning applications before 1974 were determined by different councils. Refer to Guide 4 for help with viewing the decision notices online. 

How can I check if conditions have been discharged?

This is a self-service task online. Go to the Public Access planning system and type in the original planning application reference number you wish to check the conditions have been discharged on, e.g., 00/01362/FUL. 

An application for approval of a condition will follow a format like “01/00785/AOC.” For further help, see Guide 1, p. 3.

How do I apply for a condition compliance check?

Email planning@bedford.gov.uk with your request. You must identify the planning application reference number(s). 

You can find the fees at www.bedford.gov.uk/planningformsinfo. Our response time is a minimum of eight weeks.

How do I find planning enforcement notices?

For older enforcement notices from 1957, click “Enforcement notices 1957-2017.” Guidance is provided.

For more recent enforcement notices, go to the link “View and comment on planning applications” at the top of the page. Refer to Guide 7 for assistance.

How can I find appeal decisions?

Appeal decisions are available on the Planning Inspectorate website. 

You can also go to www.bedford.gov.uk/searchplans and the link “View and comment on planning applications.” You can search them by our appeal reference, the relevant application reference, or enforcement reference.

How can I find tree preservation orders (TPOs)?

Go to the section “View other planning documentation” and click on the link for the tree preservation orders. Each document is stored within the village/town it relates to. Refer to Guide 8 for assistance.

Where can I get a copy of the HMO Article 4(1) Direction 2019?

Go to our HMO Article 4 Direction webpage.

How can I view the CIL documents?

Go to the Public Access planning system and type in the original planning application reference number, eg 24/01658/FUL. 

To view the application documents and correspondence, click on the “Documents” tab and then on the “View associated documents” link.

See Guide 1 and Guide 1a for assistance.

Go to www.bedford.gov.uk/CIL for more detailed information.

How can I contact Planning Services?

To contact Planning Services, you can call 01234 718068 or email planning@bedford.gov.uk.

How to find housing/buildings documents revealed on the search results

How do I get a section 38, 278, or 33 agreement?

Copies of Highways Act 1980 section 38, Highways Act 1980 section 278, Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 section 33 can be obtained at an additional cost.

If this service is required, go to our road adoptions and private roads webpage and click “Apply for a Section 38 / 278 / 33 agreement” at the bottom of the page.

Email: deeds.registry@bedford.gov.uk.

How do I obtain building control documents?

Please go to our building control webpages. You can also phone 01234 718081 or email: buildingcontrol@bedford.gov.uk.

Where can I get a copy of the agreement under section 104 of the Water Industry Act 1991?

This is managed by Anglian Water. Please see the request of copy of agreement section on its website. 

You can also phone: 03456 066 087 (option 2) or email drainage@anglianwater.co.uk .