44 - 46 High Street Clapham Bedford Bedfordshire MK41 6EG Data via plota.co.uk

Proposal

Mixed use redevelopment comprising size reduction and sub division of existing restaurant (Class E) with change of use and roof top extension to create 7 flats with associated external works and parking. Data via plota.co.uk

View original council record ↗Last checked

Application progress

✓
Received
22 Mar 2026
✓
Validated
25 Mar 2026
✓
Consultation
31 Mar 2026
Decision
Expected by 13 May 2026
Appeal
Appeal - In Progress

Under consideration

No decision has been issued yet. Plota predicted a decision around 9 Oct 2026; it is now day 198.

The consultation period closed on 28 Apr 2026.

Site constraints 4

Also on the record
Radon affected area, class 2; 1 listed building within 150 m; National infrastructure project 162 m away: East West Rail - Bedford to Cambridge and Western improvements, at pre-application; Inside the Clapham (Bedford) built-up area.
Not affected
Outside flood zones 2 and 3 · Not green belt · No scheduled monument at the site

Checked on 6 October 2026. Historic England, the Environment Agency, Natural England, the Planning Inspectorate, the British Geological Survey and UK Health Security Agency (radon, contains BGS materials © UKRI) and council datasets, Open Government Licence. A boundary can run through a site and the council holds the definitive record: confirm with the council before relying on this.

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Important details

Council
Bedford
Application type
Full Planning
Postcode
MK41 6EG
Received
22 Mar 2026
Validated
25 Mar 2026
Ward
Clapham & Oakley
Parish
Clapham
Case officer
Show
Target decision
13 May 2026
Applicant
Show
Agent
Paul Allen - AP Consulting Engineers

Decision outlook

Day 198, past the statutory target. 66% of changes of use in Bedford are decided within thirteen weeks; extensions of time are common, and the council need not decide on the day. Last seen undecided on 2 Oct 2026.

Day 198142 days past the 56-day target
39%decided within 8 weeks
66%approved
12%go to committee

Plota live figures for changes of use decided by Bedford in the last twelve months, from validation. Bedford decision record →

Public comments

1comment received
1 objecting

10 neighbours consulted · Last counted 2 Oct 2026

Read the comments on the council site ↗

Consultation & key dates

Alt. reference
PP-14787520
Planning Portal ref
PP-14787520
Neighbours
31 Mar 2026
Consultation
31 Mar 2026
Comments by
28 Apr 2026
Env. assessment
No
Bedford
Planning Authority Score
2.4/10
Poor
#253 of 296 councils
Relevant to this application:
Change of use

Bedford is slower than most councils at deciding householder applications, ranking #201 out of 296. 52% of applications have the time limit extended, above the 41% national average. Householder applications are slightly less likely to be approved here (86%) than the national average (90%).

Slower than most councils
for householder decisions
These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application. View full council performance
Bedford decision statistics
Based on MHCLG data, the year to March 2026
80%
Overall approval rate
Below avg (87%) #259 of 296
86%
Householder approved
Below avg (90%) #239 of 296
56%
Decided in 8 weeks
Below avg (63%) #201 of 296
52%
Extended time limit
Above avg (41%) #233 of 296
52%
Minor dwellings approved
109 decided (1-9 homes)
69%
Major dwellings approved
26 decided (10+ homes)
67%
Change of use approved
57 decided
993
Total decisions
203 refused in the year to March 2026