Please note amended fees schedule to be introduced from the 1 July 2024.
Before submitting a planning application, we strongly recommend that you use our Pre-Application Advice service. You can download and print the guidance and application form below.
Pre-application advice service
We can offer you specialist advice on the various matters you will need to consider before submitting an application. This can include (not exhaustive):
- clarifying which policies will apply to your development
- advising you to ensure you consider all the issues and give full consideration to advice given, which should speed up the process of determining your application
- can reduce the amount of time taken by professional consultants and can save costs
- advising you if the principle of the development is unacceptable, therefore saving you the cost of a full planning application
For Householder enquiries, we provide a free plan-checking service to help ensure your application is complete and therefore avoiding delays in the registration process. Please tick the box on the application form indicating you would like to use the plan checking service.
Application and costs
Please make sure you have correctly marked the level of advice you require, as well as any specialist advice you may also require your completed form.
Pre-application advice fees:
- householder application fees
- minor development application fees
- major development application fees
- strategic development application fees
- listed building application fees
We can receive advice requests in hard copy form or via email to plservices@eastcambs.gov.uk
Upon receipt of your application, you will receive a letter acknowledging receipt of your application and the contact details of the Officer dealing with your enquiry.
If you have paid for written advice, the case Officer will endeavour to reply to your request within 20 working days from the date of your acknowledgement letter. Where you have requested a meeting, the case Officer will endeavour to contact you within five working days from the date of your acknowledgement letter to arrange a suitable date and time for the meeting.
All meetings will take place at the Council offices in Ely or alternatively can be held via Zoom (please discuss with your Case Officer).
Any advice given by Officers during pre-application discussions does not constitute a formal decision by the Council in respect of any future planning applications. Whilst such advice will be a material consideration, it cannot bind the Council in its validation or formal determination of a subsequent planning application.
If a planning application is submitted that fails to address any issue highlighted by Officers during pre-application discussions, it is likely that it will be refused without further discussion with the applicant or their agent.
Please see the Planning Data Retention and Privacy Policy (PDF) and ECDC's Privacy Notice