9 November 2026

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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.

New Bromham Mill plans approved despite concerns over heritage, parking and wildlife

New plans to redevelop Bromham Mill have been approved by Bedford Borough Council’s planning committee, despite objections from residents who warned of harm to heritage, parking...

“Beggars belief”: councillors accept developer request to drop affordable homes at the former school site

Last night’s Planning Committee (Monday, 8 December) agreed to remove affordable housing from a previously approved housing scheme at the former Rushmoor School in Bedford...

Proposal to convert vacant Embankment house into seven flats

Bedford’s Embankment could gain seven self-contained flats – if plans are approved. Bedford Borough Council has received an application to convert a former house in multiple occupation...

Monthly column: Democratic accountability for policing matters

On 13 November, the Home Secretary announced that the role of elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will cease to exist from May 2028, and that there will be new governance...

“Critical month” ahead for Bedford Borough warns mayor

Bedford’s mayor has warned that there is a “critical month” ahead as councillors question whether the authority may need Exceptional Financial Support. Bedford Borough Council may be...

More needs to be done to reverse potential impact of changes to local authority funding say councillors

Labour MPs in Central Bedfordshire constituencies are being urged to do more to reverse the potential £24m impact of proposed government changes to local authority funding...

New plans for Bedford flats eight years after permission granted

A developer has revived plans for four new flats above a commercial block in Bedford, eight years after the scheme was last approved and never built. The application seeks permission...

Monthly column: Stopping council waste, supporting the most vulnerable

I was delighted that the Liberal Democrats, alongside other opposition councillors, successfully stopped the Council from spending millions on a Conservative proposal to make...

Failed lease of former pub leads to hefty bill for Bedford Borough taxpayers

Bedford Borough Council has confirmed that an internal audit did not take place on the decision to lease the former Paddington Pub on Bedford’s Midland Road, leading to the taxpayer...

Planning application for new Elective Care Hub at Bedford Hospital submitted

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has submitted a planning application for a new Elective Care Hub at Bedford Hospital. The application proposes demolishing the...