Rear of 7 To 9, Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AE Data via plota.co.uk
CB/26/01200/FULL - Full Application
Approved
Proposal
Demolition of sorting office and industrial sheds. Erection of a childrens day care nursery with associated hard and soft landscaping Data via plota.co.uk
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View original council record ↗Last checked
Application progress
✓
Received
15 Apr 2026
✓
Validated
29 Apr 2026
✓
Approved
29 Sept 2026
Approved on 29 Sept 2026 · Last checked 13 Oct 2026
Site constraints 5
20 listed buildings within 150 m of the postcode pin
Nearest: 4-14, Church Square, Grade II, the postcode pin is inside its outline · 1 Grade I, 1 Grade II*, 18 Grade II
The site itself is not listed. Listed building consent is needed for work that affects the special interest of a listed building, inside or out, on top of planning permission. Setting can be a consideration for buildings nearby; there is no fixed radius.
Show all 20 with distances
- 0 m4-14, Church SquareGrade II
- 25 mMain Building of the Cedars SchoolGrade II
- 34 mThe Golden Bell Public HouseGrade II
- 35 mPair of K6 Telephone Kiosks to East of Number 2Grade II
- 36 mLeighton Buzzard War Memorial, including a pair of stone benchesGrade II
- 56 mLeighton Buzzard Church of All SaintsGrade I
- 57 m10 and 12, High StreetGrade II
- 64 m14, High StreetGrade II
- 68 m1, High StreetGrade II
- 70 m1-5, Pulford RoadGrade II
- 71 m16 and 18, High StreetGrade II
- 80 mLibrary at the Cedars SchoolGrade II*
- 83 mThe Black Lion Public HouseGrade II
- 88 m13, High StreetGrade II
- 101 mAssembly Hall at the Cedars SchoolGrade II
- 103 m17, High StreetGrade II
- 108 m19, High StreetGrade II
- 114 m21, High StreetGrade II
- 123 mRavenstone ChambersGrade II
- 139 mNational Westminster BankGrade II
Leighton Conservation Area conservation area
Demolition needs planning permission and permitted development is restricted.
The council must give weight to preserving or enhancing the area's character and appearance. Not every council has published its boundaries as open data.
Also on the record
Scheduled monument about 246 m away: Leighton Buzzard market cross; National infrastructure project about 316 m away: The Grand Union Canal Transfer, at pre-application; Inside the Leighton Buzzard built-up area.
Not affected
Outside flood zones 2 and 3 · Not green belt
Checked on 6 October 2026. The pin for this application is the centre of its postcode rather than the building, so distances to nearby designations are measured from the postcode and can be out by the width of the postcode area. Historic England, the Environment Agency, Natural England, the Planning Inspectorate 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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Other new applications on this street
Nearby new applications
20 Oct 2026Pending
The Golden Bell, 5 Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AE
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Important details
- Council
- Central Bedfordshire
- Application type
- Full Application
- Postcode
- LU7 1AE
- Received
- 15 Apr 2026
- Validated
- 29 Apr 2026
- Parish
- Leighton-Linslade
- Case officer
- Show
- Target decision
- 24 Jun 2026
- Decision
- Full Application - Granted Conditions or Reasons: View Conditions or Reasons Informative Notes: 1 )GDP Policy Informative Central Beds Local Plan In accordance with Article 35 (1) of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, the reason for any condition above relates to the Policies as referred to in the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).GDP Policy Informative Central Beds Local Plan In accordance with Article 35 (1) of the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015, the reason for any condition above relates to the Policies as referred to in the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). 2 )This permission relates only to that required under the Town & Country Planning Acts and does not include any consent or approval under any other enactment or under the Building Regulations. Any other consent or approval which is necessary must be obtained from the appropriate authority.This permission relates only to that required under the Town & Country Planning Acts and does not include any consent or approval under any other enactment or under the Building Regulations. Any other consent or approval which is necessary must be obtained from the appropriate authority. 3 )Highways Informatives The applicant is advised that in order to comply with the conditions related to highways and access works related to this permission it will be necessary for the developer of the site to enter into an agreement with Central Bedfordshire Council as Highway Authority under appropriate provisions of the Highways Act 1980 to ensure the satisfactory completion of the access and associated road improvements. You are advised to contact the Highways Agreements Officer, Community Services, Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ. E-mail highwaysagreements@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk The applicant is advised that the requirements of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 will apply to any works undertaken within the limits of the existing public highway. Further details can be obtained by contacting the Streetworks Manager, Central Bedfordshire Council, by contacting the Highways Helpdesk 0300 300 8301. The applicant is advised that the storage of materials associated with the construction of this development should take place within the site and not extend into or within the public highway without authorisation from the Highway Authority. If necessary, the applicant should contact the Streetworks Manager, Central Bedfordshire Council, by contacting the Highways Helpdesk 0300 300 8301.Highways Informatives The applicant is advised that in order to comply with the conditions related to highways and access works related to this permission it will be necessary for the developer of the site to enter into an agreement with Central Bedfordshire Council as Highway Authority under appropriate provisions of the Highways Act 1980 to ensure the satisfactory completion of the access and associated road improvements. You are advised to contact the Highways Agreements Officer, Community Services, Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ. E-mail highwaysagreements@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk The applicant is advised that the requirements of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 will apply to any works undertaken within the limits of the existing public highway. Further details can be obtained by contacting the Streetworks Manager, Central Bedfordshire Council, by contacting the Highways Helpdesk 0300 300 8301. The applicant is advised that the storage of materials associated with the construction of this development should take place within the site and not extend into or within the public highway without authorisation from the Highway Authority. If necessary, the applicant should contact the Streetworks Manager, Central Bedfordshire Council, by contacting the Highways Helpdesk 0300 300 8301. 4 )The applicant should address the following points 1 to 7 when submitting details to discharge Condition 18: Any watercourses (this includes culverted) within or adjacent to the site should be included in the maintenance and management plan, even if there is no discharge to them. This would be a riparian ownership issue but leaving it as such is no longer acceptable. The connection of private surface water drainage systems to a highway system is not permitted. Under Central Bedfordshire Council and IDB bylaws, any watercourse within or adjoining the site boundary will maintain a 9m development free easement (on the development side), unless otherwise agreed with the relevant drainage authority. This applies to all watercourses, where water is present for all or some of the year, including those not clearly stated on mapping, topography or planning documents. Permeable block paving should be laid to CIRIA C768 'Guidance on the construction of SuDS' guidelines. This guidance also stipulates following Interlay guidance. The Council does not, and is not required to, adopt any SuDS feature. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the surface water drainage system, in its entirety, will be effectively maintained in the long-term. We therefore expect confirmation of the proposed arrangements for maintenance to be provided with the final detailed design, including the future maintenance and operational needs and the responsible bodies for undertaking maintenance (for all public and private drainage components). The final detailed design including proposed standards of operation, construction, structural integrity and ongoing maintenance must be compliant with the 'Non-statutory technical standards for sustainable drainage systems' (March 2015, Ref: PB14308), 'Central Bedfordshire Sustainable Drainage Guidance' (Adopted April 2014, Updated May 2015), and recognised best practise including the Ciria SuDS Manual (2016, C753). Permission to discharge into a water authority system should be proven at detailed design stage.The applicant should address the following points 1 to 7 when submitting details to discharge Condition 18: Any watercourses (this includes culverted) within or adjacent to the site should be included in the maintenance and management plan, even if there is no discharge to them. This would be a riparian ownership issue but leaving it as such is no longer acceptable. The connection of private surface water drainage systems to a highway system is not permitted. Under Central Bedfordshire Council and IDB bylaws, any watercourse within or adjoining the site boundary will maintain a 9m development free easement (on the development side), unless otherwise agreed with the relevant drainage authority. This applies to all watercourses, where water is present for all or some of the year, including those not clearly stated on mapping, topography or planning documents. Permeable block paving should be laid to CIRIA C768 'Guidance on the construction of SuDS' guidelines. This guidance also stipulates following Interlay guidance. The Council does not, and is not required to, adopt any SuDS feature. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the surface water drainage system, in its entirety, will be effectively maintained in the long-term. We therefore expect confirmation of the proposed arrangements for maintenance to be provided with the final detailed design, including the future maintenance and operational needs and the responsible bodies for undertaking maintenance (for all public and private drainage components). The final detailed design including proposed standards of operation, construction, structural integrity and ongoing maintenance must be compliant with the 'Non-statutory technical standards for sustainable drainage systems' (March 2015, Ref: PB14308), 'Central Bedfordshire Sustainable Drainage Guidance' (Adopted April 2014, Updated May 2015), and recognised best practise including the Ciria SuDS Manual (2016, C753). Permission to discharge into a water authority system should be proven at detailed design stage. 5 )This general 'postcode' area is already attached to a superfast fibre broadband cabinet, it should be ensured that any new premises are also connected and therefore engagement with OpenReach ahead of the build should be confirmed.This general 'postcode' area is already attached to a superfast fibre broadband cabinet, it should be ensured that any new premises are also connected and therefore engagement with OpenReach ahead of the build should be confirmed. 6 )Bedfordshire Police would normally consider it necessary to request a crime prevention planning condition for the following reasons: The applicant has not supplied any information in their application as to what measures would be taken to ensure that the development creates a safe and secure environment, where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion and resilience. However, this recommendation can be discharged by the applicant supplying either Bedfordshire Police Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs) or the Local Planning Authority, with a Security Statement addressing our concerns and demonstrating how the applicant intends to implement these recommendations. Should any of these recommendations present a difficulty for the applicant to achieve, the DOCOs encourage the applicant to engage directly with us to reach a mutually acceptable compromise. Alternatively, a written commitment to apply for the Secured By Design Developers' Award would negate the necessity for a crime prevention condition and a Security Statement.Bedfordshire Police would normally consider it necessary to request a crime prevention planning condition for the following reasons: The applicant has not supplied any information in their application as to what measures would be taken to ensure that the development creates a safe and secure environment, where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion and resilience. However, this recommendation can be discharged by the applicant supplying either Bedfordshire Police Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs) or the Local Planning Authority, with a Security Statement addressing our concerns and demonstrating how the applicant intends to implement these recommendations. Should any of these recommendations present a difficulty for the applicant to achieve, the DOCOs encourage the applicant to engage directly with us to reach a mutually acceptable compromise. Alternatively, a written commitment to apply for the Secured By Design Developers' Award would negate the necessity for a crime prevention condition and a Security Statement. 7 )Ecology Informatives Bats: The applicant is reminded that, under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), it is an offence to: deliberately capture, disturb, injure, or kill bats; damage or destroy a breeding or resting place; obstruct access to their resting or sheltering places; intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat while it's in a structure or place of shelter or protection. Planning consent for a development does not provide a defence against prosecution under these acts. It is the legal responsibility of the contractor to check for bats, should bats be found at any stages of the development works, then all works should cease, and Natural England should be contacted for advice. Birds: The applicant is reminded that, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended (section 1), it is an offence to remove, damage, or destroy the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built. Planning consent for a development does not provide a defence against prosecution under this act. Trees and scrub are likely to contain nesting birds between 1st March and 31st August inclusive. Trees and scrub are present on the application site and are assumed to contain nesting birds between the above dates, unless a recent survey has been undertaken by a competent ecologist to assess the nesting bird activity on site during this period and has shown it is absolutely certain that nesting birds are not present.Ecology Informatives Bats: The applicant is reminded that, under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), it is an offence to: deliberately capture, disturb, injure, or kill bats; damage or destroy a breeding or resting place; obstruct access to their resting or sheltering places; intentionally or recklessly disturb a bat while it's in a structure or place of shelter or protection. Planning consent for a development does not provide a defence against prosecution under these acts. It is the legal responsibility of the contractor to check for bats, should bats be found at any stages of the development works, then all works should cease, and Natural England should be contacted for advice. Birds: The applicant is reminded that, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended (section 1), it is an offence to remove, damage, or destroy the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built. Planning consent for a development does not provide a defence against prosecution under this act. Trees and scrub are likely to contain nesting birds between 1st March and 31st August inclusive. Trees and scrub are present on the application site and are assumed to contain nesting birds between the above dates, unless a recent survey has been undertaken by a competent ecologist to assess the nesting bird activity on site during this period and has shown it is absolutely certain that nesting birds are not present.
- Decision date
- 29 Sept 2026
- Agent
- Show
How this decision compares
Decided in 153 days from validation, 99 days slower than Central Bedfordshire's median of 54 for demolitions. Approved, as 84% of demolitions here are.
This one153d
Council54d
UK56d
71%decided within 8 weeks
84%approved
173decided in the last year
Plota live figures for demolitions decided by Central Bedfordshire in the last twelve months, from validation. Central Bedfordshire decision record →
Public comments
11comments received
7 objecting4 neutral
64% object · below the UK average of 74%
Last counted 13 Oct 2026
Consultation & key dates
- Consultation
- 29 Apr 2026
- Comments by
- 2 Oct 2026
- Site or press notice
- 26 May 2026
Historical activity at this location
25 nearby applications on record - archival context, not part of the live application.
Within ~100m
Nearby activity
2025
Approved
7-9 Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 7AE
Lawful Development Certificate Proposed: Installation of 8 x vehicle EV charging points w…
2025
Approved
The Golden Bell, 5 Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AE
Listed Building: Repair works following urgent temporary propping works to protect the bu…
2024
Approved
Land to the Rear of 7-9, Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AE
Enhancement of existing hard standing car parking area to provide EV vehicle charging bay…
2025
Approved
10 Bridge Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AL
Regulation 46 - Locality Risk Assessment
2024
Approved
Leighton Middle School, 2 Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1EX
Installation of a new automatic gate system.
2025
Approved
Leighton Middle School, 2 Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1EX
Listed Building: Installation of a new automatic gate system.
2024
Refused
20 Bridge Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AL
Conversion from an office Class E to 5 residential apartments Class C3. 1st storey rear e…
2024
Approved
14 High Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1DY
Repair and redecorations to the front and rear of the building. To include timber windows…
2024
Approved
14 High Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1DY
Listed Building: Repair and redecorations to the front and rear of the building. To inclu…
2024
Approved
Carpark to rear of 7 - 9, Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AE
Lawful Development Certificate Proposed (Installation of 4 x vehicle EV charging points w…
2024
Approved
14 High Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1DY
Listed Building: removal of signage
2024
Approved
Frontage of 4 - 12 Church Square Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AE
Removal and replacement of paving to the frontage of 4 - 12 Church Square
2024
Approved
Frontage of 4 - 12 Church Square Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AE
Listed Building: Removal and replacement of paving to the frontage of 4 - 12 Church Square
2024
Land to the rear of 7-9 Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 7AE
Demolition of sorting office and industrial sheds. Erection of a 65 room hotel with assoc…
2024
Withdrawn
Land To The Rear Of 7-9, Church Square, Leighton Buzzard LU7 7AE
Demolition of existing small extension and enhancement of existing hard standing, car par…
2023
Approved
12 Bridge Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AL
Creation of a rear external first floor fire escape with new door and replacement of wind…
2023
Withdrawn
Land to the rear of 7-9 Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 7AE
Demolition of sorting office and industrial sheds and erection of a three storey hotel (c…
2022
Withdrawn
20 Bridge Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AL
1st floor rear extension, changes to front facade and conversion of class E use to C3, to…
2022
Withdrawn
Leighton Middle School, 2 Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1EX
Laying hardcore to provide a temporary staff car park.
2021
Approved
8 Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AE
Listed Building: Change of use from B1 office to C3 residential to form 5no 1bed flats
2017
Approved
4 Bridge Street, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AL
Shopfront refurbishment including new windows, door, signage lettering, projecting sign a…
2016
Approved
Leighton Middle School, 2 Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1EX
Temporary Mobile Classrooms
2016
Approved
Pulford Lower School, Pulford Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AB
Single storey flat roof extension (1.9m by 7.5m) for school toilets.
2016
Approved
3 Pulford Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AB
Listed Building: To form lobby in rear bedroom to gain access to bathroom, without going…
2016
Approved
3 Pulford Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AB
To form lobby in rear bedroom to gain access to bathroom, without going through rear bedr…
Central Bedfordshire
Planning Authority Score
6.3/10
Average
#88 of 296 councils
Relevant to this application:
Householder decisions
Central Bedfordshire is faster than most councils at deciding householder applications, ranking #62 out of 296. Householder applications are slightly more likely to be approved here (91%) than the national average (90%).
Faster than most councils
for householder decisions
These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application.
View full council performance
Central Bedfordshire decision statistics
Based on MHCLG data, the year to March 2026
84%
Overall approval rate
Below avg (87%) #218 of 296
91%
Householder approved
Above avg (90%) #169 of 296
76%
Decided in 8 weeks
Above avg (63%) #62 of 296
35%
Extended time limit
Below avg (41%) #99 of 296
61%
Minor dwellings approved
153 decided (1-9 homes)
86%
Major dwellings approved
29 decided (10+ homes)
73%
Change of use approved
45 decided
1,444
Total decisions
226 refused in the year to March 2026
Track this application
Rear of 7 To 9, Church Square, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1AE
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