Planning guidance strengthened and 'call for sites' launched as emerging Local Plan takes shape

A new suite of planning guidance has been approved to support strong well-founded development decisions as the new Fenland Local Plan 'Fenland 50' develops.

Residents, businesses, community groups and stakeholders have a couple of weeks left to take part in an initial 'scoping consultation.' The consultation will help shape the Local Plan,  which will guide how Fenland grows and changes up to 2050, influencing where new homes and jobs go, how towns and villages develop, how flood risk is managed, and the quality of new development.

In addition to the broad 'scoping consultation' a specific 'call for sites' has also been launched, a statutory and vital early stage in the plan‑making process. It invites landowners, developers, community groups, and residents to suggest land that could potentially be included in the plan to help meet the area's future needs.

Discover more and respond to the:

• scoping consultation by Monday, March 23, to help influence the future development of Fenland: Have your say on Fenland's future as new Local Plan gets under way
• 'call for sites' by Thursday, April 30: Council launches 'call for sites' to help shape new Fenland 50 Local Plan

Learn more about strengthened planning guidance: Council strengthens planning guidance as emerging Local Plan takes shape

Seek support if needed with your Council Tax and business rate bills

Council Tax and business rate bills for 2026/27 have now been dispatched to residents and businesses in Fenland.

Anyone registered for email communications with Fenland's Council Tax and business rates delivery partner Anglia Revenues Partnership will only get a digital email bill. Please check inboxes and spam folders and be scam aware.

Signing up for direct debit is a quick, easy and secure way to pay your bill.

If you’re worried about how you’re going to pay your bill or your circumstances have changed, get in touch. Support is available and you must report any relevant circumstance changes to avoid a penalty or missing out on support you’re entitled to.

Pay, report a change, register for paperless billing or get help with your bill at: Anglia Revenues Partnership website (Fenland) 

Owner of heritage building prosecuted by council for failing to repair it

Court action has been taken against the owners of a Grade II listed building in Wisbech Market Place that has fallen into disrepair.

Fenland District Council prosecuted the Whitfield Group, owners of the former Franks butchers, at 10 Market Place, for failing to comply with an order to complete improvements within two months.

At Peterborough Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, February 17, The Whitfield Group, registered at Oakington Road, Westwick, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the order which was issued in March last year. The owners had done some work at the site.

See more: Owner of heritage building prosecuted by council for failing to repair it

Next step for Manor Leisure Centre as redevelopment enters planning stage

A major proposed redevelopment of the Manor Leisure Centre in Whittlesey has taken a significant step forward with the validation of a planning application.

Fenland District Council is planning to redevelop the centre as part of its member-led Fenland Inspire! investment campaign, which aims to enhance leisure facilities and public spaces across the district.

Discover more: Next step for Manor Leisure Centre redevelopment

Commitment to addressing transport issues in Whittlesey and Chatteris

Fenland District Council has backed a motion from its Leader, Cllr Chris Boden, setting out a commitment to address transport issues in Whittlesey and Chatteris.

The motion, titled 'Breaking the Bottlenecks: A Plan to Unlock Growth in Whittlesey and Chatteris,' sets out an aim to secure the evidence needed to address issues as part of the new Local Plan, Fenland 50.

Get the detail at: 'Breaking the Bottlenecks: A Plan to Unlock Growth in Whittlesey and Chatteris'

Latest on consultation on Local Government Reorganisation

Fenland District Council's elected members will meet on Friday (March 13) to agree the council’s official response on Local Government Reorganisation – and there’s still time for you to respond too.

A central Government consultation runs to Thursday, March 26, and is asking for views on the four different proposals submitted to reorganise the seven Cambridgeshire councils into new unitary authorities.

Councillors will discuss a draft response that gives more detail on why, of the options available, Fenland District Council backs a change that would see Fenland join with East Cambridgeshire and part of Huntingdonshire to make a new local authority.

You can:

• Get details on the four proposals and access the consultation at: Local Government Reorganisation website page
• Read the report going before Cabinet on Friday at: Local Government Reorganisation – Response to Statutory Consultation

No scheduled elections for Fenland this year

There are no scheduled elections in Fenland this year.

The recent news from the Government about plans for local elections in 2026 has no impact on Fenland and the district's schedule remains unchanged.

The next scheduled elections are set to take place in May 2027.

For more details of the Government update and the areas it affects, see: Secretary of State's decision regarding local elections

Cost of living: Information and advice session in Wisbech

Come along to a welcoming information and advice session offering practical guidance on managing the rising cost of living.

Hosted by Fenland District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council, the event is open to anyone needing support, tips or information on available services.

There's no need to book in advance, drop in at any time between 10am and noon, Thursday, April 16, at the Oasis Centre, St Michael's Avenue, Wisbech, PE13 3NR.

For further support, see: Cost of living support in Fenland

Fenland Community Safety Partnership (CSP) survey live

The latest Fenland Community Safety Partnership (CSP) survey is now open. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts on safety in the community where you live or work.

Fenland CSP is a partnership of representatives from police, local authorities, fire and rescue services, health and probation services. It carries out surveys to help inform its work.

Your feedback will help in the understanding of local concerns about crime and disorder and shape future community safety priorities. The survey is open until Monday, March 23.

Take the survey at: Community Safety Survey

Worried an adult or child is suffering abuse or neglect?

If you think an adult with care and support needs, or a child, is suffering from abuse or neglect, please report it.

Abuse and neglect can go unnoticed and undetected due to the complex nature of it. You can be the eyes and ears of your community.

Any concerns of someone being in immediate danger should be reported via 999. Report other safeguarding concerns through Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership: Report a safeguarding concern

Home security and crime prevention support

The Bobby Scheme helps older, vulnerable, and disabled people, who have been victims of crime such as burglary or domestic abuse, or have concerns about home or personal security.

One recent example saw a lady in her 80s, who was concerned about house security, provided with window alarms, door chains, a patio alarm, new shed lock and security advice and leaflets.

Discover more about the support available at: The Bobby Scheme 

Remember shed safety

Many people don’t secure their shed or garage in the same way they do their homes, making the, often valuable, contents targets for theft.

Discover tips on how to secure your shed at: Keeping your shed or garage safe and secure

Beware loan sharks

Fenland residents are warned to beware of loan sharks and reminded that if they’ve fallen foul of illegal lenders, help is available.

Loan sharks are illegal lenders who target vulnerable people and charge inflated interest rates. They may use violence or intimidation.

Help and information is available at: Stop Loan Sharks