Cople Parish Council

22/03/2026

Bedford Borough Council has now updated the online bin calendar to show the next four weeks of collections. See the calendar at www.bedford.gov.uk/Bins

This will enable residents to see any changes to collections, and those with an additional collection on Saturday 28 March will be able to see which bin(s) to put out.

Food waste collections are now also showing on the Borough Council website and answers to frequently asked questions are available at www.bedford.gov.uk/FoodWaste – along with an introductory video.

We are introducing weekly food waste collections for houses and flats from Monday 30 March. If you haven't received your food caddies yet please report via our Replace damaged or missing bins and food caddies page. This gives every household an easy way to recycle out-of-date food, leftovers and scr...

01/02/2026

Cople Parish Council and community volunteers made another sweeping litter pick this morning. 16 bags across the village.
Many thanks to all those volunteers including the kids.

01/02/2026

Cople Neighbourhood Plan

A number of residents have mentioned some understandable confusion about the polling cards that have recently dropped through doors in Cople. Just to be absolutely clear, this is not a local election and it is not about the recent Bloor Homes presentations.

The poll card is for a local referendum on whether Cople should adopt its own Neighbourhood Plan.

The Cople Neighbourhood Plan has been written by local residents over several years, following consultation, evidence gathering and independent examination. This vote is the final step. If residents vote in favour, the Plan becomes part of the statutory planning framework and must be used when planning decisions are made.

So why does this matter for Cople, particularly now?

At present, Bedford Borough does not have a confirmed five-year housing land supply. That triggers what is known as the “tilted balance” in planning decision-making. In simple terms, it means speculative development proposals are much harder to resist, because national policy carries extra weight over local concerns.

A made Neighbourhood Plan is one of the very few effective defences villages like Cople have in this situation. Once adopted, it carries legal weight and must be taken into account alongside national policy. Without it, decisions are far more exposed to speculative applications.

The Plan helps by:
- protecting Cople’s green spaces and rural setting
- guiding where and how development should take place
supporting the character of the village rather than large or unsuitable schemes
- improving walking routes, safety and connectivity
strengthening the village’s position when dealing with developers

Without a Neighbourhood Plan, decisions are largely driven by borough-wide policies and national pressures. With one in place, Cople’s locally agreed priorities genuinely matter.

Whatever your view, this vote is your opportunity to decide whether the village adopts the Plan that local residents have worked hard to prepare.

Please take a moment to read about it and use your vote on Thursday 5th February 2026.

You can view the full proposed Cople Neighbourhood Plan here:
https://www.bedford.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/neighbourhood-planning/cople-neighbourhood-plan

The Neighbourhood Plan Referendum will be on Thursday 5 February 2026 at Cople Village Hall between the hours of 7am and 10pm.

Robert Bellew, Chair - Cople Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

Consultation on the Cople Neighbourhood Plan finished on 11 August 2025.  The consultation documents are below (all documents are PDFs unless stated otherwise: Submission documents Cople Neighbourhood Development Plan Basic conditions statement Consultation statement Habitats Regulations Assessment...

26/01/2026

The Neighbourhood Planning Referendum will be on Thursday 5 February 2026 at Cople Village Hall between the hours of 7am and 10pm.

Poll cards are not required to vote, but you do need to take photographic ID with you. Further information on acceptable forms of ID can be found on the Parish Council website at the link below:
https://cople-pc.gov.uk/neighbourhood-planning-referendum-thursday-5-february-2026/

26/01/2026

CARDINGTON, COPLE & EASTCOTTS CHARITY
Reg No: 210585

One bedroomed Almshouse is available in Cardington

Suitable for Single Occupancy Only

(Not immediately available)

Expressions of interest are invited from anyone who has a financial need.

What is an Almshouse?
People, qualified as set out below, occupy an Almshouse as Residents, they are not
tenants and do not have tenant’s rights.

Residents pay a weekly maintenance contribution payable monthly, This is usually a discounted amount to the local rental rate as advised by the Office of Valuation and is reviewed on an annual basis.

The earliest the property is likely to be available is February 2026

Anyone who wishes to apply will need to understand the following facts concerning the property:
• Individuals will need to have good mobility, as the dog legged stairs leading to the first floor are fairly steep.
• The property is located on the very edge of the village of Cardington.
• There is no street lighting in this area and no bus service
• Car parking is located immediately outside the property.
• Heating is by electric storages heaters
• Fairly large garden

Anyone interested is asked to complete a detailed financial statement.
You must be able to show that you cannot afford to purchase your own property or to rent from the open market.

CLOSING DATE – 20 February 2026

Point 29 – Qualifications of Almspeople –
Interested persons, must meet the eligibility criteria as set out in the charity Scheme dated 1970, which is in priority order:-

1. Those who have a financial need and reside in the areas of Cardington, Cople, Shortstown, Harrowden or Cotton End.
2. Those who have a financial need and have previously lived in the areas of Cardington, Cople, Shortstown, Harrowden or Cotton End, or have a connection to these areas through family, work or a current resident or residents.
3. Those who do not meet criteria 1 or 2 above but can demonstrate a financial need.

For further information, please contact:
Mrs S Thacker
Clerk to the Trustees
Cardington, Cople & Eastcotts Charity
30 Water End
Cople, Beds MK44 3TY

email:[email protected]

30/12/2025

Real Christmas tree recycling in Bedford Borough

Bedford Borough Council is encouraging residents to recycle their real Christmas trees responsibly this winter, using the Borough’s free drop off points. Recycling trees in this way supports Bedford Borough’s efforts to keep neighbourhoods free from fly-tipping and improve the local environment.

From Tuesday, 30 December 2025 to Friday, 9 January 2026, residents can bring their tree to one of the following locations, where trees will be collected and taken away for composting:

• Hillgrounds Road, Kempston (opposite the shops near Hartwell Drive)
• Jubilee Park, Bedford (opposite North Lodge, Canvin Way)
• Milton Ernest Garden Centre, Radwell Road, off the A6
• Mowsbury Park Car Park, Bedford, Kimbolton Road (be aware this has changed from the other car park which was used last year)
• Podington Garden Centre, High Street, Podington
• Roxton Garden Centre, A421 near A1 Black Cat roundabout
• Seasons Garden Centre, Bedford Road, Wixams / Wilstead
• Bedford Household Waste Recycling Centre, Barkers Lane.

All real Christmas trees can be left in the clearly signed designated areas at these sites and will then be taken for composting, helping to turn festive waste into a useful resource. Trees cannot be shredded on site, so wood chips will not be available for the public. The trees are taken to be composted at a local site in Ravensden near Bedford, operated by Growing Beds Ltd.

These sites are for real Christmas trees only and cannot accept artificial trees or other waste. All decorations, lights, tinsel, stands, pots and any other containers must be removed before leaving a tree at one of the drop off points so that it can be composted without contamination.

Tom Bliss, Operations and Sales Manager at Growing Beds Recycling Services Ltd, said, “We work hard to turn garden waste from Bedford Borough Council into a valuable composted soil improver that conforms to BSI PAS100. For us to achieve this, the waste we receive must be entirely free from contamination of any kind. All we want is the tree, wood and pine needles, that’s it. We would like to wish all Bedford Borough residents a very happy Christmas and all the best for 2026!”

Cllr Nicola Gribble, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said: “Real Christmas trees are a wonderful part of the festive season, and recycling them properly helps keep our streets tidy and supports our commitment to a cleaner, greener Borough. Whether you drop your tree at one of our eight recycling sites between 30 December and 9 January, or cut it up and place it in your green lidded bin ready for collections to resume on 1 March, you’ll be making a real difference. And please remember that your householder duty of care still applies if a charity or other organisation collects your tree for you, so always make sure they are disposing of it responsibly and in line with the law.”

Residents can also choose to cut up their real Christmas tree and place it in their green lidded garden waste bin, provided that no piece of the trunk is wider than 11cm, roughly the length of the longer side of a credit card. Garden waste collections restart from 1 March 2026, so trees stored in this way will be collected and composted as part of the routine service.

The Council is reminding residents of their legal householder waste duty of care, which means everyone must make sure their waste is disposed of correctly and only passed to authorised waste carriers. This duty applies to all household waste, including real Christmas trees, and still applies when a charity or other organisation offers to collect trees or other waste from homes. Residents are urged to check that anyone collecting their tree is properly registered and will dispose of it safely and legally. Further information is available at

As a householder, you have a legal obligation (duty of care) to take all reasonable measures to ensure that your waste is disposed of properly and isn’t fly-tipped. If someone else takes away your waste The Environmental Protection Act requires all householders to make sure their waste is only rem...

22/12/2025

Cople Parish Council is asking you to join the Community Volunteer Group.

17/12/2025

Arrival of Universal comes one step closer as Government grants planning permission

Bedford has taken a giant step towards welcoming Universal Destinations & Experiences after the Government approved the request for planning permission by a Special Development Order (SDO).

Today’s announcement follows several years of close collaboration between Universal, councillors and council staff.

It is a major step towards Europe’s first Universal-branded theme park and resort opening in Bedford Borough. The project will provide a c.£50billion economic benefit to the economy, while creating around 20,000 jobs during the construction period alone.

Tom Wootton, Mayor of Bedford Borough described the news as “one of the proudest moments of my political life.”

He said; “I’d love to take all the credit for this – but I can’t! This is the result of so much hard work by so many people, and it will be something that has a huge, positive impact on countless lives even when I’m long forgotten. It’s one of the proudest moments of my political life.

“This is a huge vote of confidence in Bedford and Kempston, in the borough and region, and in the Council. This is the perfect place for this investment, well-connected, full of talent, and ready to grow. I know that our residents and businesses will seize all the opportunities that this will offer us, and I’ll work with Universal night and day to ensure our partnership can continue to bloom.”
An SDO is a special type of planning permission for major schemes, which is granted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MCHLG) instead of by a council.

Whilst there are still further planning steps to complete, today’s announcement is a key milestone.

Bedford Borough Council chief executive Laura Church said that Universal would be a key driver for the Borough’s economy.

She said; “This truly puts Bedford on the map, as a global destination for tourism, creativity and innovation for generations to come.

“It begins with tens of thousands of construction jobs, followed by the many more roles when the park opens. The millions of visitors each year will offer possibilities for our economy and our residents in hospitality, retail, technology and so much more.

“When the resort opens it will be one of the largest employers in the region, and it is expected that approximately 80% of employees will come from Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton & Milton Keynes. Universal want to work with our residents and our businesses.”

16/12/2025

An improved gateway into Bedford town centre at Greyfriars

Bedford’s Town Deal partnership is set to reconfigure Greyfriars Junction from Monday, 5 January, through to Autumn 2026, as a key component of the local Transporting Bedford 2030 initiative.

This work is part of the ongoing programme of public realm improvements being delivered through the Bedford Town Deal. The Town Deal represents a £22.6 million government investment to revitalise Bedford town centre, delivered in partnership by the Government, Bedford Borough Council and the Bedford Town Deal Board, made up of independent town centre stakeholders. The Greyfriars project also includes a £250,000 contribution from Bedfordshire Police towards its costs.

This major project aims to support new development opportunities at the former police station site and surrounding area, from Greyfriars car park through to Midland Road. Additional cycling and pedestrian infrastructure will be added to foster safer, more accessible travel for all.

This Government money will be the starting block to transform this area, as well as making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists. This has also been designed with buses in mind, for both current and future bus travel. The Council is working closely with the bus operators in the area to minimise disruption to services and access to the bus station during works and to keep traffic flowing. Signage with details will be in place at affected bus stops.

Samantha Laycock, Chair of the Bedford Town Deal Board, added, “This project exemplifies our commitment to transforming Bedford into a more vibrant and sustainable town. The improvements at Greyfriars Junction will not only enhance safety and accessibility but also pave the way for exciting new investment and community opportunities.”

Councillor Andrea Spice, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Planning and Prosperity, said, “By improving this key approach to our town centre, we will be continuing to make Bedford a safer, more accessible, and better-connected town. These changes support our local economy and enhance the quality of life for everyone who lives, works, or visits here.”

Recognising its importance, the Italian Statue currently located on the roundabout will be restored and a new, suitable location found for future display. This scheme is one of several projects designed to improve connectivity, promote sustainable travel, and support the long-term prosperity of the town.

It is really important that residents, local businesses, and key stakeholders are kept up to date with the works. There have been a number of public engagement stalls in and around this area. The next opportunity to speak with the team, view plans, and learn more about the project is planned for Thursday, 18 December, 11.30am-1.30pm, near the front of the old Police Station. Further public engagement events are planned for 2026 on different days and times to enable as many people as possible to have the opportunity to discuss the project.

Further project details, frequently asked questions, and a project overview can be found on the Bedford Borough Council website –

Project value: £2.31m + (£0.25m contribution) Project theme: transport Greyfriars is a key area connecting Bedford Station to the town centre via Midland Road and is recognised within the Town Centre Masterplan as a crucial area for the economic vitality of Bedford. Transporting Bedford 2030 invol...

06/12/2025

Santa is at Cople Village Hall

18/11/2025