Council strengthens planning guidance as emerging Local Plan takes shape.

The Interim Planning Guidance, approved by the Council's Cabinet last month, will support robust and consistent decision-making while work progresses on Fenland 50, which will guide how the district grows and changes up to 2050.

The guidance sets out clear expectations for developers and decision‑makers in three priority areas: securing appropriate developer contributions to local infrastructure, protecting Fenland's nationally important agricultural land, and managing the location and quality of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), particularly where demand is high.

Alongside the existing Local Plan, the Interim Planning Guidance will provide a strong, transparent framework for planning decisions during this transitional period.

Councillor Dee Laws, Portfolio Holder for Planning, said: 

Fenland 50 will shape the long‑term future of our district, but it's essential that the decisions we make today are equally strong and well‑founded.

 This guidance strengthens how we secure vital infrastructure investment, safeguards our most productive agricultural land, and sets clearer expectations for HMOs so they are well designed, appropriately located and contribute positively to their communities.

At the same time, we want residents, businesses and local organisations to help shape Fenland 50, ensuring the new Local Plan reflects the priorities and aspirations of our district."

Fenland 50 will guide how Fenland develops over the coming decades, helping to shape homes, jobs and infrastructure while responding to key challenges and opportunities in the district.

Fenland 50 early stage consultation

During the early stage of the Local Plan development, the Council will be gathering baseline information about Fenland, reviewing existing evidence and starting to identify key issues and opportunities. To help with this work, the Council is undertaking:

• A scoping consultation. Residents, businesses, community groups and stakeholders are encouraged to take part in a simple survey to share their views on the issues and priorities that Fenland 50 should address. The consultation closes on Monday 23 March. Have your say at: Fenland 50 - Scoping Consultation
• An initial 'call for sites' consultation. Landowners, developers, community groups, and residents are invited to suggest land that could potentially be developed to help meet the area's future needs. The public are also invited to nominate local green spaces of community value in the local plan. The call for sites and local green spaces designation consultation is open for eight weeks, from Thursday 5 March 2026 to Thursday 30 April 2026. To submit a site for consideration, visit: Fenland 50 - Call for Sites 2026

For more information, visit: Emerging Local Plan - Fenland 50