53 Tavistock Avenue, Ampthill, Bedford, MK45 2RW Data via plota.co.uk

CB/26/01683/FULL - Full Application Decided

Proposal

Conversion of loft space with a rear dormer and front rooflights Data via plota.co.uk

View original council record ↗Last checked

Application progress

Received
16 Jun 2026
Full Application - Granted Conditions or Reason…

Full Application - Granted Conditions or Reason… on · Last checked 12 Sept 2026

Site constraints 2

Also on the record
Inside the Ampthill built-up area; the 1970s provisional farmland map had this area as grade 2, but it predates the buildings here and the current map does not class it as farmland.
Not affected
Outside flood zones 2 and 3 · Not green belt · No scheduled monument at the site

Checked on 11 September 2026. Historic England, the Environment Agency, Natural England 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

Application type
Full Application
Postcode
MK45 2RW
Received
16 Jun 2026
Validated
16 Jun 2026
Parish
Ampthill
Case officer
Show
Target decision
11 Aug 2026
Decision
Full Application - Granted Conditions or Reasons: View Conditions or Reasons Informative Notes: 1 )Reasons for Granting: The application site is a two-storey, detached dwelling located on the south side of Tavistock Avenue, Ampthill. No. 53 is constructed of brickwork with a gable tile roof and currently benefits from a detached double garage. The proposal consists of the conversion of loft space with a rear dormer and front rooflights. The proposed dormer would have a depth of 3.65 metres, a width of 6.75 metres and a flat roof height of 2.7 metres. This application follows a previous submission (CB/26/01368/LDCP) for a Lawful Development Certificate to certify that the proposed loft conversion with rear dormer and front rooflights would be acceptable under permitted development. The proposed loft conversion was concluded to not constitute development under Section 55(a) of the Town and Country Planning (general Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) and the proposed rear dormer and front rooflights were considered to comply with Classes B and C of the Town and country Planning (general Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) and therefore not requiring planning permission. The current proposal is for the same scheme, with the addition of anthracite horizontal weatherboard cladding, which would not match the materials of the existing dwellinghouse, and therefore requires planning permission. It is noted that the proposal described in the Lawful Development Certificate has not yet been undertaken. Tavistock Avenue is characterised by detached dwellings of similar age and design. On the basis of design and scale, the proposal would form a proportionate addition to the existing dwellinghouse which would be confined to the rear of the property. The scale and size of the proposed dormer would be considered acceptable under permitted development rights and, as such, the proposal is not considered to result in any detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the host dwelling or wider area. The proposed addition of anthracite horizontal weatherboard cladding would be considered a minor alteration to the character of the dwellinghouse. There is a varied use of materials evident across the streetscene of Tavistock Avenue, and as such it is not considered that the addition of the cladding would have a harmful visual impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding street scene. The proposed addition of rooflights to the front roof slope would be considered a minor addition to the existing dwelling, which would not have any material impact on the character and appearance of the area. Regarding the siting of the proposal, the most potentially impacted neighbouring dwellings are deemed to be No. 26 and No. 38 Tavistock Avenue. The proposed rear dormer and associated fenestration would face onto neighbouring dwelling No. 26, however would remain separated by some 25.3 metres. The proposal would be further separated by the public highway of Tavistock Avenue and mature landscaping to the rear boundary of the application site. Given this relationship, it is not considered that the proposal would give rise to any unacceptable overlooking or loss of privacy. To the northeast, No. 38 Tavistock Avenue would be sited some 18 metres from the proposed rear dormer. The proposal would be orientated away from this property, with no windows proposed within the north elevation facing this neighbouring dwelling. As such, the development is not considered to give rise to any impacts on the amenity of this neighbouring property. All other neighbouring dwellings are considered sufficiently separated for there to be any neighbouring impact due to the sitting and scale of the proposal. The proposal would increase the number of bedrooms in the dwelling from three to four. As shown on plan number DD 6316.1 B there are sufficient parking arrangements for three spaces at the property and adequate parking has been retained in line with the parking standards SPD. Ampthill Town Council were consulted on this application and did not provide any comments. The application was subject to public consultation and no representations were received. The proposal is therefore considered to be in accordance with Policies HQ1, T2 and T3 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan, Section 11 of Central Bedfordshire Design Guide, Parking Standards for New Developments SPD and Section 12 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).101Reasons for Granting: The application site is a two-storey, detached dwelling located on the south side of Tavistock Avenue, Ampthill. No. 53 is constructed of brickwork with a gable tile roof and currently benefits from a detached double garage. The proposal consists of the conversion of loft space with a rear dormer and front rooflights. The proposed dormer would have a depth of 3.65 metres, a width of 6.75 metres and a flat roof height of 2.7 metres. This application follows a previous submission (CB/26/01368/LDCP) for a Lawful Development Certificate to certify that the proposed loft conversion with rear dormer and front rooflights would be acceptable under permitted development. The proposed loft conversion was concluded to not constitute development under Section 55(a) of the Town and Country Planning (general Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) and the proposed rear dormer and front rooflights were considered to comply with Classes B and C of the Town and country Planning (general Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) and therefore not requiring planning permission. The current proposal is for the same scheme, with the addition of anthracite horizontal weatherboard cladding, which would not match the materials of the existing dwellinghouse, and therefore requires planning permission. It is noted that the proposal described in the Lawful Development Certificate has not yet been undertaken. Tavistock Avenue is characterised by detached dwellings of similar age and design. On the basis of design and scale, the proposal would form a proportionate addition to the existing dwellinghouse which would be confined to the rear of the property. The scale and size of the proposed dormer would be considered acceptable under permitted development rights and, as such, the proposal is not considered to result in any detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the host dwelling or wider area. The proposed addition of anthracite horizontal weatherboard cladding would be considered a minor alteration to the character of the dwellinghouse. There is a varied use of materials evident across the streetscene of Tavistock Avenue, and as such it is not considered that the addition of the cladding would have a harmful visual impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding street scene. The proposed addition of rooflights to the front roof slope would be considered a minor addition to the existing dwelling, which would not have any material impact on the character and appearance of the area. Regarding the siting of the proposal, the most potentially impacted neighbouring dwellings are deemed to be No. 26 and No. 38 Tavistock Avenue. The proposed rear dormer and associated fenestration would face onto neighbouring dwelling No. 26, however would remain separated by some 25.3 metres. The proposal would be further separated by the public highway of Tavistock Avenue and mature landscaping to the rear boundary of the application site. Given this relationship, it is not considered that the proposal would give rise to any unacceptable overlooking or loss of privacy. To the northeast, No. 38 Tavistock Avenue would be sited some 18 metres from the proposed rear dormer. The proposal would be orientated away from this property, with no windows proposed within the north elevation facing this neighbouring dwelling. As such, the development is not considered to give rise to any impacts on the amenity of this neighbouring property. All other neighbouring dwellings are considered sufficiently separated for there to be any neighbouring impact due to the sitting and scale of the proposal. The proposal would increase the number of bedrooms in the dwelling from three to four. As shown on plan number DD 6316.1 B there are sufficient parking arrangements for three spaces at the property and adequate parking has been retained in line with the parking standards SPD. Ampthill Town Council were consulted on this application and did not provide any comments. The application was subject to public consultation and no representations were received. The proposal is therefore considered to be in accordance with Policies HQ1, T2 and T3 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan, Section 11 of Central Bedfordshire Design Guide, Parking Standards for New Developments SPD and Section 12 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).101 2 )Based on information submitted there are no known issues raised in the context of Human Rights / The Equalities Act 2010 and as such there would be no relevant implications.Based on information submitted there are no known issues raised in the context of Human Rights / The Equalities Act 2010 and as such there would be no relevant implications. 3 )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). 4 )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. 5 )Will a new extension affect your Council Tax Charge? The rate of Council Tax you pay depends on which valuation band your home is placed in. This is determined by the market value of your home as at 1 April 1991. Your property's Council Tax band may change if the property is extended.� The Council Tax band will only change when a relevant transaction takes place. For example, if you sell your property after extending it, the new owner may have to pay a higher band of Council Tax. If however you add an annexe to your property, the Valuation Office Agency may decide that the annexe should be banded separately for Council Tax.� If this happens, you will have to start paying Council Tax for the annexe as soon as it is completed. If the annexe is occupied by a relative of the residents of the main dwelling, it may qualify for a Council Tax discount or exemption.� Contact the Council for advice on 0300 300 8306. The website link is: https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-tax-bandsWill a new extension affect your Council Tax Charge? The rate of Council Tax you pay depends on which valuation band your home is placed in. This is determined by the market value of your home as at 1 April 1991. Your property's Council Tax band may change if the property is extended.� The Council Tax band will only change when a relevant transaction takes place. For example, if you sell your property after extending it, the new owner may have to pay a higher band of Council Tax. If however you add an annexe to your property, the Valuation Office Agency may decide that the annexe should be banded separately for Council Tax.� If this happens, you will have to start paying Council Tax for the annexe as soon as it is completed. If the annexe is occupied by a relative of the residents of the main dwelling, it may qualify for a Council Tax discount or exemption.� Contact the Council for advice on 0300 300 8306. The website link is: https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-tax-bands

Public comments

No public comments yet.

Last counted 12 Sept 2026

Read the comments on the council site ↗

Consultation & key dates

Consultation
16 Jun 2026
Comments by
27 Jul 2026
Site or press notice
3 Jul 2026
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