After many months of work, consultation and examination the Local Plan, which manages growth and development in East Cambridgeshire for the next 20 years, has been approved by a Planning Inspector.

The Local Plan, which seeks to ensure development in the district is ‘sustainable’ by looking at how much, where and when development should take place, will now go to Full Council approval in April to be formally ratified.

The Plan proposes the District Council will:

• Provide for the delivery of 11,500 new homes 
• Maximise opportunities for jobs growth with the aim of achieving a minimum of 9,200 additional jobs
• Ensures infrastructure such as schools, opens spaces and leisure facilities are built alongside the new growth

Cllr Kevin Ellis, Chairman of Corporate Governance & Finance Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “It is a fantastic achievement to have the Local Plan for East Cambridgeshire passed by a Planning Inspector. He has made a few proposed modifications to the Plan - the vast majority of which we agreed with him during the thorough examination process. The document, subject to Full Council approval, will become the main basis for making decisions on planning applications covering the next 20 years.

“It is important to note the document is the result of collaboration with residents, parish councils and other organisations in East Cambridgeshire. Without their support through various consultations and discussions we would not be in the strong position we are in now. We are now in the enviable position of being able to take forward growth, create jobs and build much needed homes - all in places where we want that growth to take place, rather than via speculative applications from developers. The last two years have shown that by working together across the district – we have achieved a strong, thorough and sound plan to map out our future.”        

The report from the Planning Inspectorate is now available at www.eastcambs.gov.uk. 

If you have any questions on the Local Plan, please call the Strategic Planning Team on 01353 665555.