Information relating to the decision to defer the local plan
Request received 22 September 2026
I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding East Cambridgeshire District Council's decision to pause work on a new Local Plan and defer commencement of plan-making until June 2028.
1. Decision-Making Documentation
Copies of any reports, briefing papers, committee reports, cabinet reports, member reports, presentations, recommendations or other documents produced since 1 January 2024 that were used to inform the decision to pause work on the new Local Plan.
2. Member Decisions
Copies of any formal council, cabinet, committee or delegated officer decisions relating to:
- The suspension or cancellation of work on the previously proposed Local Plan.
- The decision to delay commencement of a new Local Plan until June 2028.
- Any proposed timetable for future Local Plan preparation.
3. Housing Need and Land Supply Assessments
Copies of any assessments, modelling, forecasts or internal papers that considered:
- Housing requirements beyond the current Local Plan period ending in 2031.
- The need for future housing land allocations within East Cambridgeshire.
- Risks associated with delaying Local Plan preparation.
4. National Planning Reforms
Copies of correspondence, guidance notes, briefing papers or assessments prepared by the Council which consider the impact of:
- The Government's new plan-making system.
- Changes to national planning policy.
- Future housing requirements arising from national planning reforms.
5. Risk Assessments
Copies of any corporate, planning policy or legal risk assessments relating to:
- Not having an emerging Local Plan in place.
- Waiting until June 2028 to commence preparation of a new Local Plan.
- Potential risks associated with housing delivery, land supply or speculative development proposals during this period.
6. Site Promotion Opportunities
Please provide copies of any internal discussions, reports, policies or decisions relating to whether landowners and developers can submit sites for consideration before commencement of plan-making in 2028.