Bedford Borough has a rich and diverse historic environment comprising archaeological remains, historic buildings, settlements and landscapes.

Our Historic Environment Service protects and enhances the historic environment of Bedford Borough by:   

• managing and maintaining the Bedford Borough Historic Environment Record
• providing archaeological advice on pre-application proposals and planning applications
• providing advice on managing change to listed buildings and conservation areas in response to pre-application enquiries, listed building consent and planning applications
• developing conservation area appraisals and management plans and delivering heritage-led regeneration schemes
• providing a countryside advice service to landowners and Natural England on the management of the rural historic environment through countryside stewardship schemes.
• developing and delivering monument management schemes
• responding to proposed changes to national and local policy and historic environment guidance