A patch of land could be opened up for new housing after the developer argued that Bedford Borough Council is failing to meet its legal duties.
Aragon Land & Planning has submitted a “permission in principle” application for up to nine self-build homes on land behind 1–3 Milton Road.
The scheme would require the demolition of 146 Milton Road to create access to the site, which sits just outside Clapham’s settlement boundary.
In the planning documents, the applicant states that the council is currently unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites. This is a key national test that, when unmet, triggers the “tilted balance” in favour of sustainable development.
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According to the planning documents, the council’s published supply is between 3.36 and 3.46 years, around 2,000 homes short of national requirements.
The statement also highlights the council’s statutory duty under the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015.
Councils must ensure enough serviced plots are granted planning permission to meet local demand from people who want to build their own homes. Aragon argues that the Borough Council is failing to meet this duty.
The developer says this lack of provision adds significant weight in favour of approving small self-build schemes on the edge of villages like Clapham.
The application said the land opposite the proposed site is earmarked for future development. The applicant maintains that the proposal would not result in an “isolated” form of housing and that its impact would be limited by the scale of the scheme.
More information can be found on the council’s planning portal, reference 25/02051/PIP.
The overall consultation expiry date is Thursday, 27 November 2025.
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
