The majority of planning applications are determined by planning officers under delegated powers.
Only a small proportion of applications are debated by the planning committee and these will usually be applications which are more controversial, or where there are significant implications that might result from the proposed development.
You and your agent (if relevant) will be notified if your application is 'called-in' to planning committee.
The planning committee is normally held on the first Wednesday of the month at the council offices in Ely and is a public meeting.
Agendas for meetings will be published on the council's website usually 5 working days in advance.
All meetings are livestreamed. We will share links to the livestream on the day of the meeting on our website and via our social media channels.
You are able to view current planning committee members as well as meeting dates and minutes of previous meetings.
The issues considered at planning committee must be relevant planning considerations and may include the following:
The following are not valid planning considerations and will not be considered at committee:
Normally on the morning of planning committee, the committee members will visit the sites on the agenda. They are there to look at the site and its surroundings and do/should not engage with the public during the visit.
During the committee meeting, planning officers will present their reports to the planning committee. This normally consists of a short presentation outlining the main considerations, any issues and their recommendation.
After each presentation, members of the public can speak for or against the application in the following order:
Members will then debate the merits of the application, weighing up the proposal and any issues, and a decision is made whether to approve or refuse an application.
Each decision is made on a majority basis, with the chair of the committee casting the deciding vote in the event of a tie.
Anyone is welcome to attend the committee.
It is possible for members of the public to speak at planning committee. If you would like to speak for or against an application, you must register to do so.
You can register by emailing democratic.services@eastcambs.gov.uk (no later than 10am the last working day before the meeting).
If more than one person wishes to speak for or against an application the allocated time may be split between them.
For further information, please see our speaking at committee page.
Late submissions of additional information and comments for officers and councillors can only be accepted up until 48 hours before the relevant planning committee meeting (usually 2pm on the Monday for a Wednesday meeting).
Any submissions received after this will not be considered.
Parish and town councils are consulted on all planning applications and copies of planning applications are usually available to view with the local councils as well as at the district council offices.
Find your local parish and town council.
Councillors are elected to represent you on the district council. You may want to contact your local councillor to discuss a planning application.
If a councillor is a member of the planning committee, they will not be able to commit to a decision before hearing all the evidence and debate at the relevant planning committee meeting. They will need to take into account current planning law and planning guidance, as well as public opinion.
Councillors also have the right to speak at planning committee where they have a personal and prejudicial interest, to make representations and answer questions or give evidence – but then must leave the meeting before the committee starts to discuss and make a decision on the application.