Cheveley Neighbourhood Plan passes its referendum on 12 September 2024, and the Soham and Barway Neighbourhood Plan passes its referendum on 10 October 2024
Both plans were formally made part of the development plan on 17 October 2024. For full details, please visit the dedicated Cheveley Neighbourhood Plan and Soham and Barway Neighbourhood Plan pages.
Neighbourhood planning allows parish councils and their communities to decide the future of the places where they live, by having the option to create:
Neighbourhood Plans, Neighbourhood Development Orders and Community Right to Build Orders can be used to add more detail to the policies in the council’s Local Plan, or cover other aspects appropriate to the aspirations of the community living in the area.
Neighbourhood Plans are the most popular option prepared by parish councils, with support from East Cambridgeshire District Council. Once consulted upon, finalised and deemed to meet certain regulations, they are put to a local referendum of the community. If that referendum is successful, they are then formally ‘made’ part of the Local Plan for East Cambridgeshire and are used by the district council to determine planning applications.
We are here to help parish councils and their communities prepare a Neighbourhood Plan, Neighbourhood Development Order or a Community Right to Build Order. The council's Statement of Community Involvement sets out the steps required, and how the council will assist in neighbourhood planning.
For more information, the charity Locality has produced useful guidance and toolkits, and details how to apply for government funding to help with the costs of neighbourhood planning.
Ten Neighbourhood Plans have been formally 'made' by East Cambridgeshire District Council, whilst 15 parishes are designated Neighbourhood Areas as shown on the Map of Designated Neighbourhood Areas.
The following table provides a summary of each neighbourhood planning project in the district:
| Body | Designated area date | Map of neighbourhood area | Current stage | Formally made date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bottisham Parish Council | 12 Feb 2016 |
Document
|
Early stages. Please contact the parish council for details. | N/A |
| Cheveley Parish Council | 10 Dec 2018 |
Document
|
Plan made: Cheveley Neighbourhood Plan | 17 October 2024 |
| Chippenham Parish Council | 15 January 2024 |
Document
|
Early stages. Please contact the parish council for details. | N/A |
| Fordham Parish Council | 21 Dec 2017 |
Document
|
Plan made: Fordham Neighbourhood Plan | 18 December 2018 |
| Haddenham Parish Council | 06 Aug 2019; amended 10 June 2021 |
Document
|
Plan made: Haddenham and Aldreth Neighbourhood Plan | 20 October 2022 |
| Isleham Parish Council | 21 Feb 2019 |
Document
|
Plan made: Isleham Neighbourhood Plan | 19 May 2022 |
| Littleport Parish Council | 3 August 2022 |
Document
|
Early stages. Please contact the parish council for details. | N/A |
| Mepal Parish Council | 28 February 2022 |
Document
|
Plan made: Mepal Neighbourhood Plan | 25 July 2024 |
| Reach Parish Council | 18 Feb 2019 |
Document
|
Plan made: Reach Neighbourhood Plan | 20 February 2024 |
| Soham Town Council | 12 Jun 2019 |
Document
|
Plan made: Soham and Barway Neighbourhood Plan | 17 October 2024 |
| Sutton Parish Council | 08 Jan 2015; amended 27 May 2021 |
Document
|
Plan made: Sutton Neighbourhood Plan | 25 July 2024 |
| Swaffham Bulbeck Parish Council | 07 Jan 2019 | Plan made: Swaffham Bulbeck Neighbourhood Plan | 21 February 2023 | |
| Wicken Parish Council | 11 October 2024 |
Document
|
Early stages. Please contact the parish council for details. | N/A |
| Witcham Parish Council | 9 January 2023 |
Document
|
Early stages. Please contact the parish council for details. | N/A |
| Witchford Parish Council | 26 Aug 2016; amended 06 Feb 2019 |
Document
|
Plan made: Witchford Neighbourhood Plan | 21 May 2020 |
If you have any questions or queries, please contact the strategic planning team:
Tel: 01353 665555
Email: planningpolicy@eastcambs.gov.uk
Or write to: Strategic Planning, East Cambridgeshire District Council, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4EE.