Technical Planning Guidance

Technical Planning Guidance, adopted for Development Control purposes, operate in tandem with Local Plan Policy and provide detailed advice to developers and other potential applicants. Mid Beds has a number of Guides, listed below.

They vary greatly in their topic, from guiding major development such as   ‘Land at Marston Road, Lidlington’ and ‘Land East of Biggleswade’ to guidance related to policies contained within the Local Plan such as ‘Retention of the Last Village Pub’.   

A selection are available to download .   Alternatively, they may be purchased from the Council Offices at Priory House, Chicksands and can be despatched upon receipt of a cheque.  View the Local Plans publications price list here. 

Adopted Planning Guidance     

Topic Specific    

• Shopfront Design Guide (August 1996)
• Residential Design Guide (June 1997)
• House Extensions & Alterations - A Guide For Applicants (Feb 1997)
• Farm Buildings Design (June 1998)
• Landscape Design Guide (Sept 1998)
• Barn Conversions Design Guide (May 1999)
• Cycle and Walking Strategy For Mid Beds (Nov 2000)
• Children's Play Space Design Guide - Learning for Adventure (June 2001)
• Recreational Open Space Strategy (June 2001)
• Mid Bedfordshire Cycle Route Mapping Project (Sept 2001)
• The Surface Waters Plan (June 2002)
• Retention of Last Village Pub (Dec 2002)
• Retention of Village and Neighbourhood Shops (Dec 2002)
• Wildlife In Development (2003)
• Affordable Housing SPG (July 04)
• Design Guide for Residential Areas in Mid Beds (March 2005)
• Extensions and Alterations: A Design Guide for householders (March 2005) 

• Cranfield Technology Park
• Ridgmont Brickworks Site Planning & Development Brief (Sept 1994)
• Greene King Brewery Site, Biggleswade - Planning & Development Brief (Dec 1997)
• Henlow Village Design Statement (June 1998)
• Shillington Village Design Guide (June 1999)
• Elstow Planning & Development Brief (Sept 1999)
• Fairfield Hospital Planning and Development Brief (Sept 1999)
• Land at Marston Road, Lidlington Development Brief (Dec 2002)
• Land South of Stotfold Development Brief (Feb 2003)
• Urban Design Strategy, Fairfield Park (Feb 2003)
• Land East of Biggleswade Development Brief (June 2003)
• Home Farm, Cranfield Development Brief 

Planning Guidance in Preparation

• Highways Design Guide including car parking standards – in preparation by County Council on behalf of District Council's Design Forum
• Travel Plans - under preparation by County Council in conjunction with District Councils
• The Wixams Community and Leisure Facilities Strategy (Elstow New Settlement)
• The Wixams Community and Leisure Facilities Strategy (Elstow New Settlement)
• The Wixams Affordable Housing Development Brief (Elstow New Settlement)
• Flitwick Town Centre Rail Station Development Planning and Development Brief