Planning appeal decision
54 Tithe Barn Road, Wootton, MK43 9EZ
Planning appeal 6005012 at 54 Tithe Barn Road, Wootton, MK43 9EZ (Bedford Borough Council) was dismissed on 11 August 2026 by Inspector K E Down, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed dwelling on the character and appearance of the appeal site, the adjoining terrace, the street scene and the surrounding area.
demolition of existing outbuilding and erection of new two bedroom end of terrace dwelling
- Authority
- Bedford Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning
- Procedure
- Written
- Development
- residential
- Inspector
- K E Down
- Postcode
- MK43 9EZ
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the proposed dwelling on the character and appearance of the appeal site, the adjoining terrace, the street scene and the surrounding area
- The effect on the living conditions of future occupiers of the dwelling with respect to the amount of living space
- The effect on the Forest of Marston Vale
What decided it
The significant harm to the character and appearance of the area, arising from the cramped appearance of the dwelling and the loss of the wide gap between plots that contributes to the spacious, open character of the street, outweighed the modest housing supply benefit and small economic benefit.
The modest but valuable contribution to local housing supply and small economic benefit were outweighed by the significant harm to character and appearance, such that the adverse effects of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits notwithstanding the shortfall in the Council's housing land supply.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy 28SPolicy 29Policy 30Policy 2SPolicy 36SPolicy W1Policy W12
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11
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


More decisions in Bedford Borough Council
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
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- Dismissed16 October 2026601330411 Earls Holme, Bedford, MK42 8PG
- Allowed15 October 2026601197826 Becher Close, Renhold, MK41 0LP
- Allowed23 September 2026336437644 Portway , Great Denham , Bedford , MK40 4GB
- Allowed21 September 2026337340014 Woodman Way, Wootton, Bedford, MK43 9RX
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.
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