Do you need planning permission?
How coronavirus is affecting planning
Find out how we're adapting our service, in line with government advice on COVID-19.
The planning portal (link opens in new window) has a range of project planning, building and completion advice. This includes an interactive house (link opens in new window) for visual guidance on permitted development and many common household. projects. Mini guides (link opens in new window) also provide project-specific advice on the most common household improvements.
The common projects (link opens in new window) page provides guidance on 52 different common building projects for the home. There is guidance on both planning permission and building regulations rules for projects such as:
- extensions (link opens in new window)
- outbuildings (link opens in new window)
- change of use (link opens in new window)
- conservatories (link opens in new window)
- larger home extensions (link opens in new window)
- loft conversions (link opens in new window)
- fences, gates and walls (link opens in new window)
- doors and windows (link opens in new window)
- garage conversions (link opens in new window)
- patios and driveways (link opens in new window)
- roofs (link opens in new window)
We recommend pre-application advice to help you with your project. We offer this advice for all developments including extensions and alterations to residential properties. There is a fee for these services.
Archaeology, heritage and conservation
We protect character, appearance and wildlife within Central Bedfordshire. This means there are certain situations where additional planning permission or licensing may be required before work can take place.
- applications within 500 metres of a pond
- conservation areas and planning permission
- carrying out work to a listed building
- archaeology
Building control
Building regulations are the minimum standards for design, construction and alterations for effectively every building. These regulations are different to planning regulations; find out more information about building control (link opens in new window).
Highways development management: Section 38 road adoption agreements
If your development serves five or more dwellings, we will consider adopting new roads as highway maintainable at the public expense.
For more information, please see our Highways Construction Standards and Specifications Guidance.