Three-bedroom dormer bungalow at Land Rear Of 37 Mount Pleasant Road, Clapham, Bedford

“The application site consists of an oddly shaped area of land, of around 320 square metres, which currently serves as existing garden land to the end of terrace dwelling, no. Mount Pleasant Road, which is sited to the northeast. The main site is triangular in shape with the access forming an area of land between existing buildings in separate ownership. The main building and parking all like within the triangular area.”

“The site is bound by residential dwellings and associated garden areas and garages to all boundaries and is located within the Settlement Policy Area of Clapham. The site is not within a Conservation Area or the setting of any listed buildings.”

“- 126 - Of relevance to this application is application reference: 25/00071/FUL. This was for erection of a detached 4 bed dormer bungalow and detached single garage. This was refused in April 2025 for the following reasons:”

“3) The application fails to demonstrate adequate provision within the site for the parking of vehicles clear of the highway in accordance with Bedford Borough Council's guidance 'Parking Standards for Sustainable Communities: Design and Good Practice 2014'.”

“Clapham Parish Council Objection - overdevelopment, Highway safety contrary to the Clapham NP, loss of greenspace and biodiversity in the area. Env Health & Trading Standards No objection. Highways (Development Control) Officer No objection subject to condition. Scientific Officer No objection. Informatives suggested. Waste Services Manager No objection subject to condition.”

“- 125 - o The site is unsuitable for construction access due to the narrow nature of the road o Highway safety concerns, including access to the site, turning on site and parking in the area o The site is not served by utilities o Damage to garages to the east of the site o Site layout is wrong as it includes the access road leading to the site which is not in the applicants control so cannot be within the red line boundary o Lack of consultation o Loss of hedging and shrubs…”

“The Team Leader Development Management advised that there had been no updates since the publication of the report.”

“That permission be granted in respect of the above application in accordance with the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Building Control.”

“(Note Councillors Akhtar, Royden, Mahboob Din and Simmons did not participate or vote on this application as they had not been present at the meeting of the 19 January 2026).”

“The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of 3 years from the date of this permission. REASON: In accordance with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to prevent the accumulation of unimplemented planning permissions. The development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the plans and documents listed on this notice, unless required otherwise by a separate planning condition of this permission.”

“REASON: In the interests of enhancing habitats and biodiversity and in accordance with Policies 42S and 43 of Bedford Borough Local Plan 2030. No building which is the subject of this permission shall be occupied until the access has been surfaced in a stable and durable manner with a bonded material across the entire width of the access from the carriageway edge (highway boundary of Mount Pleasant Road, before the private drive) to the approved property boundary.”