East Cambridgeshire residents are set to have their say on the district's future growth.

A recommendation to start work on a new Local Plan is to go before district councillors next week.

Local Plans are prepared with residents.

Based on their feedback, the council will create a blueprint for the district.

It will include details on how to meet local and affordable housing needs, address climate change, and boost the local economy.

While the council’s existing Local Plan runs until 2031, the recommendation to start work on a new plan follows government proposals to increase the number of newly built homes by 1.5 million over the next five years.

This will be facilitated by planning reforms, the release of green belt land, and the reintroduction of mandatory housing targets for local authorities.

East Cambridgeshire is already growing at an unprecedented rate of two per cent year on year.

This is equivalent to nearly 600 properties annually.

Under the new proposals, that could increase to more than 650 properties annually.

Councillor Anna Bailey, leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “We are more than doing our bit to increase local development in our region.

“But with proposals for even more housing growth on the horizon it is important local people have their say on how to accommodate this."

A final decision on whether to go ahead with starting a new plan will be made at the full council meeting on Thursday, October 17.

If approved, a cross-party working group will be set up to oversee its preparation.

There will be a minimum of three rounds of public consultation before any new Local Plan is finalised, the first of which should be before summer 2025.

For a full agenda and livestream details, visit the East Cambridgeshire District Council website.