Below is a list of the most frequently used prior notifications forms by category.

How to guide 13 - prior notifications

For more information about prior notifications please see our How to guides page and read guide 13.

Householder prior notifications

Permitted development rights allow for larger extensions to be built without the need for full planning permission.

Detached homes to extend up to 8 metres into the garden and all other homes to extend up to 6 metres into the garden. However, before building the extension, a prior notification is required so that the Council can notify your neighbours.

• Householder Prior Notification Form (PDF).
• Guidance Note (PDF). 

There is a fee of £96 for this notification.

Change of use to residential prior notifications

The Use Classes Order allows for changes of use to residential properties to take place without the need for full planning permission. However, there is still a requirement to submit information to the Council. Please see the forms below for full details.

The fee for these notifications is detailed in the fees and charges schedule.

• Change of use from offices E(g)(i) to residential (C3) (PDF)
• Change of use from an agricultural building to residential (C3) (PDF)
• Change of use from amusement arcades/centres and casinos (sui generis) to residential (C3) (PDF)
• Change of Use from Light Industrial (Class E(g)(iii) to Dwellinghouses (Class C3) (PDF)
• Change of Use from Shops (Class E(a)), Financial and Professional Services (Class E(c), Takeaways (Sui Generis), Betting Offices, Pay Day Loan Shops or Launderettes (Sui Generis Uses); or a Mixed Use combining use as a Dwellinghouse (Class C3) with a Shop (Class E(a)) or Financial and Professional Service (Class E(c), Betting Office, Pay Day Loan Shop or Launderette (Sui Generis Uses); to Dwellinghouses (Class C3), and for building operations reasonably necessary for the conversion (PDF)

Change of use to a state funded school or registered nursery prior notifications

The fee for these notifications is £96.

• Change of use from Office (E(g)(i)), Hotels (C1), Residential institutions (C2 and C2a) and Assembly/Leisure (F2) to a state funded school or a registered nursery (PDF)
• Change of use from an agricultural building to a state funded school or registered nursery (PDF)

Change of use to commercial prior notifications

The fee for this notification is £96

• Change of use from an agricultural building to Retail (E(a)), Financial/Professional service (Class E(c)), Cafe/Restaurant (E(b)), Office (E(g)(i)), Warehouse/Storage (B8), Hotel (C1) or Assembly/Leisure (F2) (PDF)
• Change of use from shops (E(a)), financial/professional (E(c)), betting offices, pay day loan shops and casinos to restaurant / cafe (E(b)) (PDF).
• Change of use from shops (E(a)), financial/professional (E(c)), betting offices, pay day loan shops and casinos to Assembly/Leisure (F2) (PDF).
• Change of Use from Shops (E(a)), Financial and Professional Services (E(c)), Takeaways (Sui Generis), Betting Offices, Pay Day Loan Shops or Laundrettes (Sui Generis Uses) to Offices (E(g)(i)) (PDF)

Other prior notifications

• Notification to install a click and collect facility within the curtilage of a shop (PDF).
• Notification of installation, alteration or replacement of other Solar Photovoltaics (PV) equipment on the roofs of non-domestic buildings, up to a capacity of 1 Megawatt (PDF).

Temporary changes of use prior notification

The information below is for guidance only and not definitive, as the order changes regularly so this may not be up to date.

Please check the General Permitted development Order for clarification, Or take independent professional advice OR submit a lawful development certificate which you can apply for at www.bedford.gov.uk/planningforms

• Temporary use of buildings or land for the purpose of Commercial Film-Making and the associated temporary structures, works, plant or machinery required in connection with that use.(PDF).
• Provision of Temporary School Buildings on Vacant Commercial Land and the use of that land as a State-funded School for up to 3 Academic Years (PDF).

There is also an option to temporarily change the use of a building and any land within its curtilage from:

• Betting Office (Article 3 (6) (n))
• Pay Day Loan Shop (Article 3 (6) (o))
• Hot Food Takeaway (Article3 (6) (r))
• Class E (Commercial / Business / Service)

to:

• Class E (Commercial / Business / Service)
• Class F.1(b) Display of Art
• Class F.1(c) Museum
• Class F.1 (d) Public Library or Public Reading Room
• Class F.1 (e) Public Hall or Exhibition Hall

for a period of three years.

This can only be done provided the building is not listed, the floor space does not exceed 150 square metres, the site is not a Scheduled Monument, the site has in any time in the past relied upon the permission granted by Class D.

If you wish to carry out this change you must notify the Council before the use is started. An email with the site address, the current use of the building, the intended use for the building and the proposed start / opening date must be sent to planning@bedford.gov.uk. There is no charge for this notification.

Please note that this allowance is for the use only. Any proposed works to the building including the installation of an extraction system will require separate planning permission.