Our planning team is responsible for activities relating to planning, ranging from providing pre-application advice, registering new planning applications to enforcing unauthorised works.
Our aim is to manage the future development of the district to promote growth, while conserving the natural and historic environment, helping to shape the sustainable places people want to live and work in.
Before you contact us
Most general planning questions can be answered quickly using the Interactive House on the Planning Portal. It provides clear, step-by-step guidance on whether you need planning permission for common household projects such as extensions, outbuildings, driveways, and changes to windows or roofs.
We strongly encourage you to use the Interactive House before contacting the planning team.
Using the interactive house can:
- Give you instant answers, 24/7
- Help you understand permitted development rights
- Save you time waiting for a response
- Clarify whether you need to submit a planning application
Pre-application advice service
If you are planning a development or are unsure whether planning permission is required after using the Interactive House, we recommend our pre-application advice service.
Pre-application advice service
This service allows you to receive professional, site specific guidance before submitting a planning application, helping to identify potential issues early and improve the quality of your proposal.
General planning enquiries
Our general planning enquiries service is available for non site specific questions, particularly after you have checked the Interactive House.
Opening hours: 8:45am - 4pm, Monday to Friday
Call us - 01353 665555
If the officer is unavailable, your call will be diverted to the main switchboard. You may leave your details and we will return your call within 2 working days.
Visit us in person
A duty planning officer can provide general, face to face advice. Please note that they cannot offer detailed or site specific advice on development proposals.
Address: Planning Department, East Cambridgeshire District Council, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4EE
For all other enquiries, please call 01353 665555 or contact us using our online enquiry form.
Our commitment to you
When you contact us, we will:
- aim to answer your enquiry at the first point of contact
- ensure that we use plain language and have properly trained staff to answer your enquiry
- be honest, available, accessible, approachable and polite
- make sure that the information we provide is accurate and up to date
- treat all customers equally and with respect
- arrange for translation on request if English is not your first language
- arrange for large type, translation into braille or audio files on request
- make information accessible to all
If you contact us by letter or email about a matter not related to a live application, our corporate response targets are:
- email: within 2 working days
- letter: within 3 working days (unless advised otherwise)