Share this article
Planning in Cambridgeshire – updated October 2026
Cambridgeshire is covered by several separate planning authorities, each with its own adopted and emerging Local Plan. This update summarises the current position across Peterborough, Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire, East Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire and Fenland, including forthcoming consultations and changes arising from local government reorganisation.
All seven councils submitted proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in 2025, followed by Government consultation during early 2026. However, in September 2026 the Government announced that the reorganisation process for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough would be paused while the wider programme is reviewed.
Existing councils and planning authorities therefore continue to perform their current functions, and local elections are expected to take place on the existing council boundaries in May 2027. Further details on the future timetable for reorganisation are awaited.
The current strategic planning position in Cambridgeshire is as follows:
Peterborough City Council
The Peterborough Local Plan was adopted on 24 July 2019 and remains the statutory Local Plan for the city.
The Council is preparing a new Local Plan to replace the adopted plan and guide development in Peterborough and the surrounding villages to 2043.
The Proposed Submission Peterborough Local Plan 2024–2043 is now at Regulation 19 consultation, until 12 November 2026. This is the final opportunity to comment on the Plan before it is submitted to the Government for independent examination. At this stage, representations should focus principally on whether the Plan is legally compliant and meets the tests of soundness.
Following the consultation, the Council intends to submit the Local Plan for independent examination by 31 December 2026. Examination is expected during 2027, with adoption currently anticipated in September 2027.
The Proposed Submission Local Plan and consultation documents can be viewed on the Council’s website.
Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire
The Cambridge Local Plan 2018 and The South Cambridgeshire Local Plan were adopted in October and September 2018 respectively and remain part of the statutory development plan.
The councils are preparing a joint Greater Cambridge Local Plan. Consultation on the Proposed Submission (Regulation 19) Greater Cambridge Local Plan closed in September 2026.
The Councils are reviewing and processing the representations received before submitting the Local Plan and supporting documents to the Government by the end of December 2026. Independent examination is expected to commence in spring 2027.
Until the new plan is adopted, the existing 2018 Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire Local Plans remain the principal Local Plan documents for determining applications, although the emerging Plan may acquire increasing weight as it progresses.
East Cambridgeshire
The East Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2015 (as amended in 2023) sets out the vision, objectives spatial strategy and policies for the future development of the district. It also identifies land and allocates sites for different types of development, such as housing and employment, to deliver the planned growth for the district to 2031.
In February 2025, the council rescinded its earlier decision to commence a full new Local Plan. The adopted 2015 Local Plan, as amended in 2023, therefore remains the principal Local Plan for the district.
Huntingdonshire
In May 2019, Huntingdonshire’s Local Plan to 2036 was adopted together with the Adopted Policies map . This remains the statutory development plan for the district.
The Council is preparing a new Local Plan to 2046 and has now published its Pre-Submission Local Plan to 2046 for Regulation 19 representations.
The consultation runs until 28 October 2026 and represents the final opportunity to make representations before the Plan is submitted for independent examination. At this stage, representations should focus on whether the Plan is legally compliant and meets the tests of soundness.
Following the consultation, the Council intends to consider the representations received before seeking approval to submit the Local Plan to the Government in December 2026. Independent examination is expected to take place during 2027.
The Regulation 19 Plan includes the Council’s proposed development strategy, site allocations and policies covering housing, employment, infrastructure, town centres, the environment and other development across Huntingdonshire.
Fenland
The Fenland Local Development Plan, adopted in May 2014, remains the statutory development plan for the district.
Fenland District Council is preparing a replacement Local Plan, known as Fenland 50, which will guide development to 2050. The plan is being prepared under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 following the publication of the Notice of Commencement.
Early engagement has included a scoping consultation and a Call for Sites and Local Green Space nominations. The Council has also published a Local Plan timetable setting out the next stages of preparation, including evidence gathering, preparation of the draft plan, statutory consultation and submission for independent examination. The Council completed Gateway 1 in July 2026 and published its Gateway 1 Self-Assessment Summary. The Local Plan timetable was reviewed again in September 2026, with no substantive changes to the programme.
For further advice or to find out how your property fits into this framework for planning in Cambridgeshire please contact us.
To stay up to date with consultations please follow us on LinkedIn.
