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Planning

Planning

Planning Service Updates

As part of our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, the Planning Service commissioned a peer challenge review, conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA) in partnership with the Planning Advisory Service (PAS). This report presents the findings of that review.

Read the Huntingdonshire Planning Peer Challenge Final Report March 2025

The Planning Department relaunched the Agents Forum, with the first meeting held on 21 July 2025.

This was an in-person event attended by a wide range of developers and agents who regularly submitted applications to the Local Planning Authority (LPA).

The forum provided a platform for discussing key planning topics and sharing updates on important areas, including:

  • The Local Plan

  • Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Section 106

  • Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

  • Scheme of Delegation

  • Planning Services Peer Review

  • Pre-Application Process

  • No Amendments Policy

To help address the backlog of planning applications, HDC introduced a No Amendments Policy in October 2022. Under this policy, amendments to planning applications were not accepted once validated - except in strategic cases.

This encouraged applicants and developers to use our pre-application advice service, relaunched at the same time, to ensure applications were accurate and complete from the outset.

As part of the Planning Peer Review, Recommendation R9b advised a review of this policy.

Local authorities are not legally required to accept amendments once an application is submitted.

Processing amendments involves additional work - such as re-validating plans, re-consulting with neighbours and stakeholders and reassessing proposals - which is not covered by the original application fee.

The Peer Review also highlighted that charging for amendments, as practiced by other councils, could help recover costs and support income generation. Amendments include both changes to plans and the submission of additional information requiring consultation and consideration.

View further information about the new approach to amendments.

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Our commitments
We will:		 Your commitments
You will:
Be professional, helpful, polite and fair in all our interactions. Treat our staff with respect and communicate with us in a professional and courteous manner.
Clearly identify who is handling your application or enquiry, how to contact them and when you can expect a response. Understand that while we aim to support you, we may not always be able to resolve every issue or deliver the outcome you were hoping for.
Keep you informed about the progress of your enquiry using the most appropriate communication method. Be mindful that officers may be managing multiple priorities, which could result in delays in responding.
Ensure our website provides easy access to up-to-date information and guidance to help you understand the process and timelines. Use self-service options where appropriate to help ensure officer time is used effectively.
Work towards meeting government statutory targets and inform you in advance if we are unable to do so. Recognise that we operate within a statutory framework and aim to meet government targets, though this may not always be possible.
Encourage engagement through pre-application advice wherever possible. Be aware that choosing not to engage with us through pre-application advice may affect the efficiency and smooth progression of the planning process.
Assess applications based on the plans and details submitted at validation, unless advised otherwise. Submit a well-informed and high quality proposal.
Investigate alleged breaches of planning control. Provide relevant and accurate information when reporting any alleged breaches.
Take formal enforcement action only when it is proportionate and in the public interest. Accept that not all issues can be resolved and outcomes may not always align with your expectations.