Step by step guide to making a planning application

Determining your planning application

Planning application timeframes

Minor applications have a statutory determination period of 8 weeks, while major applications and applications accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment have determination periods of 13 and 16 weeks respectively. However, the Government recognises that it is not always possible to issue decisions within time for various reasons, including the response times of statutory consultees and committee dates. Amendments by applicants can also lead to re-consultation and longer timeframes to cover that process. As a result, the Government sets all councils a target to determine at least 70% of minor applications within the 8 week period and at least 60% of major applications within 13 to 16 weeks. Bedford Borough Council is performing above each of these targets but, inevitably, some applications will take longer than the determination period.

If you already have an allocated planning officer, they will liaise directly with your agent (except in exceptional circumstances) as required to progress your application. To find out more about the planning process and what to do please see: www.bedford.gov.uk/planning-applicants-agents.

Step 1: apply for planning advice and assistance with planning process

Guidance on the planning process and how we determine applications is at www.bedford.gov.uk/planning-applicants-agents.

How to obtain advice prior to submission of an application:

You can apply for written planning advice to discuss the scheme. This can potentially resolve any issues before submitting your application.

For the fees, charges and how the service operates, please refer to all the details in Step 4 including the fees and exemptions document. See also self-service links and guidance in the other steps.

How to find out if your proposal does or not need planning permission:

Any queries relating to permitted development or if you need planning permission: apply for a lawful development certificate by following the steps below.

Who can assist you submit the application:

Please contact a professional (agent) to act on your behalf for planning applications and advice. An agent can be anyone that you wish to appoint, for example a builder, architect, planning consultant, loft company or someone familiar with the planning process.

If you choose to use an agent for your application, they should be able to advise you about the foreseeable issues associated with your proposal. All correspondence and enquiries will go through them and they will receive the decision notice. We will not discuss a case with an applicant where there is an agent, so if you have any issues or require an update, please contact your agent.

Planning cannot submit applications for you. Please refer to the guidance on the submission process which includes each form.

Step 2: check local constraints and site history

Carry out planning searches to help you prepare for your planning application.

Search planning applications

Refer to the How to Guides for:

assistance with search
how to find planning constraints using map search
assistance with planning matters for applicants and agents (guide 6)

Step 3: check local policies

Please check the policies relevant to your proposed development on the planning policy, other planning policy documents and policies maps pages.

Planning policy and its purpose

Step 4: submit the application with relevant plans / documents

Before you submit an application, please read the planning forms information page. You will find information about what to provide and how the application is processed when received. Each form is listed with details of plans and documents required.

Find out about Bio-diversity Net Gain and how it affects your application

Find CIL information Please also see the CIL Questions Form (PDF) and CIL Questions Form guidance (PDF)

Submit your application:

Electronically

Submit on the Planning Portal website for the majority of application types. The portal will collect the fee, please read the Applicant / Agent guide (PDF) for more information and note: The application will not be released to local planning authorities until you have paid. If applications already received require a further payment, you can pay us directly via the methods in Step 5.

In paper

Print a form, you will find these in a list on the planning forms information page.

Minerals and waste applications

Please refer to this page Minerals and waste policies and other information and this page to apply and find the forms.

Step 5: make the correct payment

View the national planning application fees list (PDF) or go to the Planning Portal fee calculator.

Pay online when you submit the application via the planning portal. Please read the Applicant / Agent guide (PDF) for more information

For paper submissions or additional payments: Pay by phone, or mailing a cheque, please quote on of the following:

portal number, application number, application site address

Telephone 01234 718068

Cheque make payable to 'Bedford Borough Council' and send to: Planning, 4th Floor, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford MK42 9AP.

Step 6: what happens next

Once valid, most applications, all the details, consultation responses and documents are online . Please review the website

For any queries with the planning process and how we determine applications go to www.bedford.gov.uk/planning-applicants-agents
Read the Planning Scheme of Delegation (PDF) for details of when: an application will go to Committee, and when it will be agreed by the Planning Team as a Delegated Decision
Go to www.bedford.gov.uk/planningcommittee for all the dates, details, agenda’s, minutes and the right to speak scheme.
Any application amendments will need to be in accordance with the procedure for negotiating amendments (PDF).