This section identifies key technical evidence such as research studies, detailed reports and regeneration blueprints that will help inform and guide the assessment and determination of planning applications, ensuring decisions are based on robust information.
Blue and green infrastructure
The Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy (adopted in 2021) assesses outdoor sports provision and usage and identifies a number of priority projects and improvements.
The standards and principles outlined in the Open Spaces Supplementary Planning Document are used to guide and assess new development proposals, ensuring existing and new green spaces are adequate and meet local needs.
The Bedford Waterspace Study (adopted in 2011) provides a framework to promote the long-term regeneration of the Great Ouse River corridor within the urban area.
Working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, we developed and tested a natural capital approach to assess environment assets/services and inform planning policies. The Ecosystem Services Baseline and Comparison Report (PDF) was completed in March 2021. The information is also mapped interactively here.
The Water Cycle Study, developed in conjunction with Anglian Water, Central Bedfordshire Council, the Environment Agency and Bedford Internal Drainage Board, addresses water infrastructure issues associated with the delivery of growth across the borough.
- Part 1 (PDF)
- Part 2 (PDF)
- Part 3 (PDF)
- Appendices (PDF)
Biodiversity and nature recovery
The Bedfordshire Nature Recovery Strategy (adopted in 2025) establishes a land use framework that maps priority areas and habitats to guide development and the delivery of biodiversity net gain, with the aim of creating a larger, stronger and better-connected network of wildlife habitats across Bedfordshire.
See also guidance and requirements on the implementation of biodiversity net gain in Bedford Borough.
Landscape and trees
The Landscape Character Assessment provides technical guidance and evidence to underpin planning and landscape management decisions in the borough.
The Marston Vale Plan is a long-term strategy to increase tree cover from 3% to 30% in the Forest of Marston Vale, a 61 square mile community forest between Bedford and Milton Keynes. Developers should achieve this goal through a combination of new trees, woodland and hedgerows (based on the requirements set out in the Forest of Marston Vale Design Guidance Supplementary Planning Document).
Retail and town centres
Bedford town centre has been subject to various studies and masterplans to guide future development opportunities, including the Bedford Town Centre Vision and Capital Delivery Programme and Bedford Town Centre Masterplan. These initiatives aim to create jobs, improve public spaces, encourage investment and enhance overall vitality and connectivity within the town centre and its surrounding areas.
Relevant socio-economic information relating to Bedford town centre can be found on town centre page.
Economy and employment land
The Employment Land Study analyses the supply and demand of offices, industrial and warehouse floorspace in Bedford. An update of this study has been produced to reflect Bedford’s long term economic vision and the latest supply/demand balance.
The Economic Prosperity Plan (PDF) identifies key actions to target and stimulate investment and secure the delivery of growth in jobs and prosperity up to 2028.
Flood risk
The Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (PDF) has been prepared to evaluate flooding risks from all sources Bedford Borough, both now and in the future.
Related documents:
- Interactive Flood Risk Mapping (PDF)
- Data Sources (PDF)
- SFRA User Guide (PDF)
- Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings (PDF)
- Bedford Flood Summary (PDF)
- Cumulative Impact Methodology (PDF)
When using the PDFs to view flood risk, please download the file to enable full functionality (flood risk information is not visible when viewing through Internet Explorer).
Gypsy and traveller accommodation
In line with government policy, we regularly assess and monitor how many pitches or sites are required to meet the accommodation needs of the gypsy and traveller community within Bedford Borough.
We produce a Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (PDF) to help understand current and future accommodation needs and ensure fair and equitable provision across the borough.
The latest assessment identifies a shortfall of 46 permanent gypsy and traveller pitches and a shortfall of 13 additional travelling show people plots, from 2020 to 2040.
Transport and travel
The Bedford Borough Transport Model assesses the traffic impacts of different future development scenarios on the borough's transport network, informing decisions about infrastructure and growth.
The Bedford Transport Plan sets out our long-term approach to transport and travel in Bedford. It manages and guides how services will be delivered and improvements will be made to the borough’s transport network to meet current and future needs. A new transport plan is being prepared to help to shape transport in the borough over the next 25 years.
The Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan (adopted in 2025) sets out how the borough’s network of walking, cycling and pedestrian routes will be maintained, protected and enhanced. Development proposals must take account of their impact on this network to ensure that routes are not obstructed and can remain accessible. In addition, developers should explore opportunities to create new or improved access to the surrounding open countryside and local amenities.
See our transport policy webpages for specific guidance on the design and layout of highways and streets.