Land at the former Stone Lane Quarry, Woburn Road, Heath and Reach, LU7 0AP Data via plota.co.uk
CB/25/02340/FULL - Full Application
Approved
Proposal
Installation of a solar array comprising: ground mounted fixed tilt bifacial solar panels; string inverters; transformer; substation; underground cables and conduits; perimeter fence; temporary construction compound; and associated infrastructure and planting scheme. Data via plota.co.uk
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View original council record ↗Last checked
Application progress
✓
Received
18 Jul 2025
✓
Validated
21 Aug 2025
✓
Approved
16 Jul 2026
Approved on 16 Jul 2026 · Last checked 13 Oct 2026
Planning committee
Decided by Central Bedfordshire Development Management Committee on 1 Jul 2026.
Approved by 11 votes to 0
As officers recommended.
- Officers advised approval because renewable-energy benefits outweighed limited Green Belt harm and other impacts were acceptable.
- The parish council had no objection, while neighbours raised concerns about HGV routes, paths, planting and drainage.
- Members approved the application unanimously, subject to conditions, a late-sheet amendment and an additional path informative.
Source: Plota analysis of Central Bedfordshire's committee minutes of 1 Jul 2026.
Site constraints 7
Habitat network: Network Enhancement Zone 2
Where habitat is joined up enough to work as a network. Context, not a constraint on its own.
Also on the record
National nature reserve about 318 m away: King's Wood and Rushmere; 2 listed buildings within 150 m of the postcode pin; SSSI about 253 m away: Kings and Bakers Wood and Heaths SSSI; Green belt about 9 m away: London; Inside the Heath and Reach built-up area; National infrastructure project about 1890 m away: The Grand Union Canal Transfer, at pre-application.
Not affected
Outside flood zones 2 and 3 · No scheduled monument at the site
Checked on 2 November 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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Important details
- Council
- Central Bedfordshire
- Application type
- Full Application
- Postcode
- LU7 0AP
- Received
- 18 Jul 2025
- Validated
- 21 Aug 2025
- Parish
- Heath & Reach
- Case officer
- Show
- Target decision
- 20 Nov 2025
- 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 )The applicant should address the following points 1 to 7 when submitting details to discharge condition 12: We will require full drainage drawings showing all connections, control features, storage, inverts etc. Culverting of existing watercourses will not be permitted. 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. 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).The applicant should address the following points 1 to 7 when submitting details to discharge condition 12: We will require full drainage drawings showing all connections, control features, storage, inverts etc. Culverting of existing watercourses will not be permitted. 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. 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). 4 )Signage, including signposts and waymark posts for both footpaths, will need to be marked out by the Rights of Way Officer and installed by the applicant, when appropriate. Map and information boards can be installed at the discretion of the applicant and if installed these are to be maintained by the applicant. The applicant will be required to maintain the surface and sides of Footpath 10 and the permissive perimeter path.Signage, including signposts and waymark posts for both footpaths, will need to be marked out by the Rights of Way Officer and installed by the applicant, when appropriate. Map and information boards can be installed at the discretion of the applicant and if installed these are to be maintained by the applicant. The applicant will be required to maintain the surface and sides of Footpath 10 and the permissive perimeter path. 5 )Details of any craneage associated with the development must be submitted to ltnsafeguarding@ltn.aero for approval a minimum of 28 days before the commencement of works and as detailed on the CAA website.Details of any craneage associated with the development must be submitted to ltnsafeguarding@ltn.aero for approval a minimum of 28 days before the commencement of works and as detailed on the CAA website. 6 )There is a low risk that Great Crested Newts (GCN) may be present at the application site. However, the application site lies in the Red�Impact Zone as per the modelled District Licence Map, which indicates that there is highly suitable habitat for GCN within the area surrounding the application site. Therefore, anyone undertaking this development should be aware that GCN and their resting places are protected at all times by The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Planning permission for development does not provide a defence against prosecution under this legislation or substitute the need to obtain a protected species licence if an offence is likely. If a GCN is discovered during site preparation, enabling or construction phases, then all works must stop until the advice of a professional/suitably qualified ecologist and Natural England is obtained, including the need for a licence. Any trenches left overnight should be covered or provided with ramps to prevent GCN from becoming trapped. Any building materials such as bricks, stone etc. should be stored on pallets to discourage GCN from using them as shelter. Any demolition materials should be stored in skips or similar containers rather than in piles on ground.There is a low risk that Great Crested Newts (GCN) may be present at the application site. However, the application site lies in the Red�Impact Zone as per the modelled District Licence Map, which indicates that there is highly suitable habitat for GCN within the area surrounding the application site. Therefore, anyone undertaking this development should be aware that GCN and their resting places are protected at all times by The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Planning permission for development does not provide a defence against prosecution under this legislation or substitute the need to obtain a protected species licence if an offence is likely. If a GCN is discovered during site preparation, enabling or construction phases, then all works must stop until the advice of a professional/suitably qualified ecologist and Natural England is obtained, including the need for a licence. Any trenches left overnight should be covered or provided with ramps to prevent GCN from becoming trapped. Any building materials such as bricks, stone etc. should be stored on pallets to discourage GCN from using them as shelter. Any demolition materials should be stored in skips or similar containers rather than in piles on ground. 7 )In respect of Condition 15, if found to be feasible, the permissive perimeter route shall be upgraded to a multi-user path and increased in width accordingly.In respect of Condition 15, if found to be feasible, the permissive perimeter route shall be upgraded to a multi-user path and increased in width accordingly.
- Decision date
- 16 Jul 2026
- Agent
- C Hewett
How this decision compares
Decided in 329 days from validation, 274 days slower than Central Bedfordshire's median of 55 for full applications. Approved, as 84% of full applications here are.
This one329d
Council55d
UK57d
62%decided within 8 weeks
84%approved
100%go to committee
Plota live figures for full applications decided by Central Bedfordshire in the last twelve months, from validation. Central Bedfordshire decision record →
Public comments
2comments received
2 neutral
Last counted 13 Oct 2026
Consultation & key dates
- Consultation
- 21 Aug 2025
- Comments by
- 16 Jun 2026
- Site or press notice
- 23 Sept 2025
- Committee
- 1 Jul 2026
Historical activity at this location
22 nearby applications on record - archival context, not part of the live application.
Within ~100m
Nearby activity
2024
Approved
23 Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Demolition of existing detached garage and rear store. Erection of a two storey side exte…
2023
Approved
45 Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Two storey rear extension
2023
Approved
21 Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Single storey rear and two storey front extensions
2023
Approved
3 Banwell Place, Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0FS
Conversion of garage to form home office
2021
Approved
45 Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Lawful Development Certificate Proposed: Single storey rear extension
2021
Approved
7 Banwell Place, Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0FS
Single storey rear extension and rear first floor balcony
2020
Approved
45 Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Discharge of Conditions 3, 4, 5 amd 7 from planning permission CB/20/01014/FULL (Demolish…
2020
Approved
6 Banwell Place, Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0FS
Single storey rear extension
2020
Approved
45 Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Demolish existing detached dwelling and replace with new detached dwelling and garage
2019
Withdrawn
45 Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Demolition of existing building and erection of a new 3 bedroom dwelling
2019
Withdrawn
45 Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Demolition of exisitng dwelling and erection of 3 bedroom dwelling
2019
Approved
45 Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Proposed erection of first floor side extension, new front window, two storey rear extens…
2019
Approved
The Grange, Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Installation of new timber double gates
2019
Approved
The Grange, Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Listed Building: Installation of new timber double gates
2019
Approved
1 Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of part single-storey, part two-storey r…
2018
Refused
Kingswood House, Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Erection of a detached dwelling
2018
Approved
31 Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Conversion of existing garage to habitable room
2017
Approved
15 Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Demolition of existing detached garage and workshop and replace with single storey rear a…
2017
Approved
13 Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Prior Notification of Householder Extension: Erection of single storey rear extension 5m…
2016
Approved
9 Banwell Place, Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0FS
Garage Conversion
2016
Approved
The Grange, Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Listed Building: Take down and re-build section of boundary wall. Repair and repoint rema…
2016
Approved
The Grange, Woburn Road, Heath And Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AP
Take down and re-build section of boundary wall. Repair and repoint remainder of wall and…
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
Land at the former Stone Lane Quarry, Woburn Road, Heath and Reach, LU7 0AP
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