Former E, Energy Site, Caxton Road, Bedford, MK41 0HT

Planning appeal 6007932 at Former E, Energy Site, Caxton Road, Bedford, MK41 0HT (Bedford Borough Council) was dismissed on 16 September 2026 by Inspector K Allen, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed amendments on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to protected trees and the provision of landscaping.

Demolition of existing buildings and structures to provide buildings within flexible B2/B8 Use Class, together with B8 Use Class open storage, alongside associated landscaping, parking and servicing, and other infrastructure, without complying with conditions attached to planning permission Ref 25/00763/MAF

Authority: Bedford Borough Council
Appeal type: Planning
Procedure: Written
Development: employment-industrial
Inspector: K Allen
Postcode: MK41 0HT

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

The effect of the proposed amendments on the character and appearance of the area, with particular regard to protected trees and the provision of landscaping

What decided it

The harmful diminution of the contribution that the band of protected trees makes to the character and appearance of the area, resulting in built development dominating this portion of Goldington Road, substantially outweighs the benefits of the proposal.

The benefits of the proposal, including sustainability measures, employment floorspace provision, and biodiversity net gain, are substantially outweighed by the adverse effects on character and appearance with particular regard to protected trees and landscaping

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy 28SPolicy 29Policy 30Policy 38Policy 39Policy 40Policy 42
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 135(b)Paragraph 136Paragraph 187(d)Paragraph 193

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.

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The decision letter

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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026

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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.