Sign up for daily news
9 November 2026
Facebook-f Threads Instagram Linkedin Youtube
Search

Politics

All the latest Political and politics news from across Bedford Borough. Everything you need to keep you up to date with what’s happening in Bedford Borough on your mobile or desktop via the Bedford Independent.

The Bedford Independent was founded to provide the people of Bedford Borough with a modern news desk that would give them easy access to genuine and unbiased Bedford news. We are independent in ownership and opinion.

Our mission is to inform and inspire the people of Bedford. To do this we will work hard to bring them the news that matters to them from our town centre to the most rural of the Borough’s villages.

Our editorial team are NCTJ trained and follows a standards code set out by the independent press regulator IMPRESS Standards.

Mayor Tom Wootton standing along Bedfords Embankment with the town bridge in the background

Monthly column: Keeping focus in challenging times while recognising how far we’ve come

At a time when Bedford Borough is facing intense financial and political scrutiny, it’s more important than ever that residents hear an honest message: yes, the challenges are real...
Read more
Construction site, Crane, Construction machinery development building planning Image Jürgen Rübig Pixabay

Developer submits new plans and appeal after changes to 341-home scheme refused

A developer has submitted two new planning applications and lodged an appeal after Bedford Borough Council refused earlier changes to part of a 341-home scheme...
Read more
Police on the beat on Bedford High Street. Image: Bedfordshire Police/Facebook

PCC says Bedfordshire Police still has outstanding areas for improvement from last inspection

Bedfordshire Police has yet to have all the areas for improvement highlighted by the force’s last inspection signed off by inspectors, the police and crime commissioner (PCC) has said...
Read more
Professional worker using pan knife for building brick walls with cement and mortar planning new homes builder building Image Adobe Stock:aboutmomentsimages

Council moves to create new 2050 Local Plan amid fears of “uncoordinated development”

Bedford Borough Council is set to launch a new Local Plan to 2050 after the collapse of its previous strategy left the borough without an up-to-date development framework...
Read more
Mayor Tom Wootton outside the former Debenhams building. Image: Bedford Borough Council

Report reveals risk behind Bedford mayor’s £2.2m acquisition of former Debenhams building

Bedford’s mayor approved a £1.8m purchase of the former Debenhams building with no guarantee that the investment will succeed, according to a report. And the total...
Read more
30 Hookham's Lane, Renhold location plan Screenshot from Planning Committee presentation 23 March 2026 presentation Image LDRS

Hookhams Lane care home proposal refused due to ‘over-intensification’ fears

Bedford borough councillors refused plans for a residential care home for up to five cared-for adults in Renhold, despite an officer recommendation for approval. The application sought...
Read more
The cafe at 103 Brickhill Drive

Planning bid submitted for takeaway at Brickhill Drive café

A Bedford café has applied for planning permission to add a hot food takeaway service. The application is for 103 Brickhill Drive, which is currently operating as a “bistro café”, and the...
Read more
Tempsford village sign near Church of St Peter with the village cemetery in the background

Tempsford new town plan faces warning from Lords over leadership and infrastructure

A House of Lords report says places like Tempsford will fail unless ministers provide clear leadership, early infrastructure and meaningful local engagement. Plans for a new town at Tempsford...
Read more
Job interview graphic. Image d4rkwzd Pixabay

From prison to paycheck: Bedfordshire PCC launches programme to support ex-offenders into work

A local charity and Bedfordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) are collaborating on a pilot training programme to help ex-offenders find work - the first of its kind in the county...
Read more
Approximate site boundary of three drive-through cafés and a major employment development near Kempston. Image: Google My Maps Map Data (C)2025 Imagery (C)2025 Airbus, Maxar Technologies via LDRS.

Plans for drive-through cafés near Kempston withdrawn after Environment Agency objection

Plans for drive-through cafés and an employment development near Kempston have been withdrawn after the Environment Agency said the site lies within a functional floodplain...
Read more

Get the latest Bedford news first

Subscribe to our free daily email for our lead story each morning before we publish it anywhere else, plus the key Bedford Borough headlines from the last 24 hours – without having to log into social media.

I've already subscribed (dont show again)