®Planning appeal decision
59 and 61 Church Road, Willington, Bedford, MK44 3PU
Planning appeal 3359107 at 59 and 61 Church Road, Willington, Bedford, MK44 3PU (Bedford Borough Council) was dismissed on 12 November 2025 by Inspector Bayliss G, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area including the setting and significance of several listed buildings.
the construction of new access driveway, construction of replacement single garage and parking space in rear garden for No 61 Church Road. Demolition of existing garage for access to the rear gardens and construction of 4 no. three bedroom detached houses with single garages, parking spaces, cycle and bin storage on land at 59 and 61 Church Road, Willington
- Authority
- Bedford Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Bayliss G
- Postcode
- MK44 3PU
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the surrounding area including the setting and significance of several listed buildings
- Whether or not the proposed development makes adequate provision for woodland planting associated with the Forest of Marston Vale
- Whether or not the proposal makes adequate provision for biodiversity
What decided it
The harm to designated heritage assets, to which great weight must be given, was not outweighed by the limited public benefits, and this provided a strong reason for refusal that disengaged the presumption in favour of sustainable development.
The presumption in favour of sustainable development under paragraph 11d) was disengaged because the harm to designated heritage assets (a matter of particular importance under footnote 7) provided a strong reason for refusal; under the normal planning balance, the limited weight attributed to public benefits (housing supply, location within settlement boundary, local economic and social benefits) was insufficient to outweigh the very significant and permanent harm to heritage assets and character and appearance.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy 28SPolicy 29Policy 30Policy 41SPolicy 35SPolicy 36SPolicy 43Policy W1A
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 202Paragraph 212
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.