Other planning policy documents

These documents include supplementary planning documents, design briefs and topic guidance can to help with making and determining planning applications.

These may also be relevant when undertaking personal research and planning histories such as the conservation area plans and other policy documents.

See the current development plan, including the Local Plan and the Policies Map here.

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD)

• Houses in Multiple Occupation SPD
• Open Space SPD
• Sustainable drainage SPD
• Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document
• Shopfronts and Advertisements in Conservation Areas Supplementary Planning Document
• Parking Standards for Sustainable Communities: Design and Good Practice SPD (2014)
• A Strategy for Bedford High Street SPD (2010)
• Developing in the Forest of Marston Vale Design Guide SPD (2023)
• Trees SPD (2024)
• Greyfriars North SPD

Development briefs

• Biddenham Loop Revised Brief (2003)
• Elstow New Settlement (1999)
• Land at Shortstown (2003)
• Land North of Bromham Road Brief (2003) (15Mb)
• Land off Rousbury Road/ Magpie Avenue, Stewartby Development Brief (1992)
• Queens Park East Development Brief (2002)
• Thurleigh Airfield Development Brief (1996)
• Wootton Development Brief (1999)

Design guides

• Bedford Borough design guide
• Land West of Kempston (2003)
• North of Bromham Road Design Guide (2015)
• Residential Extensions, New Dwellings and Small Infill Developments (2000)
• Technical Guidance: Waste Audits for New Developments
• Technical Guidance: Waste and Recycling in New Developments

Planning Policy Briefing Notes and Guidance

• Policy 54 Briefing Note
• Guidelines on implementing biodiversity net gain
• Policy 94 Briefing Note - Broadband
• Policy 89 Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
• Health Impact Assessments Guidance
• Build to Rent Guidance

Development plan and policy document archive

These documents are no longer part of the development plan however they are accessible for reference.

• Bedfordshire Community Safety Design Guide
• Core Strategy and Rural Issues Plan 2008
• Town Centre Area Action Plan 2008
• Climate Change and Pollution Supplementary Planning Document
• Mobility Housing planning guidance
• Achieving Quality in Residential Layouts (1997)