Planning and development

A montage of images of the vacant industrial estate.

Fenland District Council

Plans to transform long-vacant Fenland industrial site into 21 new flats

An artist's impression of how the Fens Reservoir might look offering lots of leisure activities for the community.

An artist's impression of how the Fens Reservoir might look offering lots of leisure activities for the community.

Fens Reservoir moves a step closer as major earthworks trials are planned

Fenland District Council

Fenland District Council

Fenland District Council

Fenland councillors reject plans to limit their powers over planning decisions

Artist's impression of the Manor Leisure Centre in Whittlesey. Credit: Fenland District Council

Artist's impression of the Manor Leisure Centre in Whittlesey. Credit: Fenland District Council

Fenland District Council

Decision on leisure centre revamp delayed amid 'serious' swimming pool work

Whittlesey leisure centre redevelopment moves closer with planning application submitted.

Whittlesey leisure centre redevelopment moves closer with planning application submitted.

Fenland District Council

Fenland leisure centre rebuild moves closer with new plans submitted

Findings of a cumulative health risk assessment on Saxon Pit in Whittlesey are set to be published by Cambridgeshire County Council.

Findings of a cumulative health risk assessment on Saxon Pit in Whittlesey are set to be published by Cambridgeshire County Council.

Cambridgeshire County Council

Results of health study on controversial Whittlesey pit site to be published

March Bears Rugby Union Football Club'S Pitch Off Elm Road. Credit: Google Maps

March Bears Rugby Union Football Club'S Pitch Off Elm Road. Credit: Google Maps

Cambridgeshire County Council

Rugby club past ‘breaking point’ due to ‘unprecedented growth’ of market town

Whittlesey Rifle Club is continuing its community activities

Whittlesey Rifle Club is continuing its community activities

Planning and development

Whittlesey Rifle Club redevelopment delayed as it aims for regional excellence

Sewage overflowing on Barkers Lane, March. Credit: Hazel Harwin

Sewage overflowing on Barkers Lane, March. Credit: Hazel Harwin

Concern over hundreds of homes planned off Fen town lane prone to sewage flooding

A retrospective planning application for The Lunch Box in Whittlesey has been approved by Fenland planners.

A retrospective planning application for The Lunch Box in Whittlesey has been approved by Fenland planners.

Fenland District Council

Fenland sandwich shop allowed to continue trading after council approval

Fenland District Council offices in March, Cambridgeshire. Picture taken by LDR. Permission for use for all partners.

Fenland District Council offices in March, Cambridgeshire. Picture taken by LDR. Permission for use for all partners.

Fenland District Council

Council urges government to scrap right of developers to connect to sewage network

Cambridgeshire County Council's planning committee refused Johnson's Aggregates plans to expand its Saxon Pit operations earlier this year, now the firm is set to appeal that decision.

Cambridgeshire County Council's planning committee refused Johnson's Aggregates plans to expand its Saxon Pit operations earlier this year, now the firm is set to appeal that decision.

Cambridgeshire County Council

Saxon Pit operator ‘intends to appeal’ after expansion plans were refused

Plans have been submitted to transform The George pub in Doddington into a specialist independent school, providing much-needed support for young people with special educational needs.

Plans have been submitted to transform The George pub in Doddington into a specialist independent school, providing much-needed support for young people with special educational needs.

Special school plans aim to give empty Fenland village pub a new lease of life

Field off March Road outside of Coates where up to 200 homes are proposed. Credit: Google Maps

Field off March Road outside of Coates where up to 200 homes are proposed. Credit: Google Maps

Fenland District Council

Controversial plan for 200 Fen homes compared to 'cancer cell' as appeal launched

Fenland District Council

Councillors ignore officer's warning over potential legal action to approve plan

An artist's impression of how the new front looks submitted as part of the planning application.

An artist's impression of how the new front looks submitted as part of the planning application.

Fenland District Council

'Fortress-like' shopfront approved in Fen town despite officer recommending refusal

Councillors are being asked to agree to changes to a Section 106 agreement linked to the development of 1,200 homes on a site off The Avenue in March.

Councillors are being asked to agree to changes to a Section 106 agreement linked to the development of 1,200 homes on a site off The Avenue in March.

Fenland District Council

Highways costs blamed for changes to March homes S106 change

Emergency services rushed to Iceland in March after its roof collapsed

Emergency services rushed to Iceland in March after its roof collapsed

Fenland District Council

Concerns about supermarket roof raised two months before collapse

Councillors are being asked to reconsider a decision to allow a house and a builder's yard to be built off Cross Road in March.

Councillors are being asked to reconsider a decision to allow a house and a builder's yard to be built off Cross Road in March.

Fenland District Council

Councillors to reconsider approval for home and builder's yard after legal advice

Plans have been approved for a change of use from agricultural land to non-residential education on land south west of Washbrook Farm, including the siting of a wooden log cabin to act as an office and wet weather classroom.

Plans have been approved for a change of use from agricultural land to non-residential education on land south west of Washbrook Farm, including the siting of a wooden log cabin to act as an office and wet weather classroom.

Fenland District Council

Field in Fenland village to be special needs school after council gives go-ahead

Hopes of a new pavilion have been ongoing for years in Manea, but funding has not been available, and the parish council believes FDC should be asking for more cash from developers to help pay for it.

Hopes of a new pavilion have been ongoing for years in Manea, but funding has not been available, and the parish council believes FDC should be asking for more cash from developers to help pay for it.

Fenland District Council

Fenland village expanding rapidly says new homes bring no benefit to community

Sale of March Town Hall is due to complete imminently, meanwhile a planning application has gone in for some internal works as part of plans to safeguard the building for the community.

Sale of March Town Hall is due to complete imminently, meanwhile a planning application has gone in for some internal works as part of plans to safeguard the building for the community.

Sale of iconic town hall almost complete as plans go in for internal works

The £4.68 million facility will be built adjacent to the existing centre on Hundred Road

The £4.68 million facility will be built adjacent to the existing centre on Hundred Road

Cambridgeshire County Council

Work to begin on new £4 million recycling centre in March 'fit for the future'

Plans for five homes on the site of this property in Manea, sparked a debate about S106 contributions at a recent Fenland District council planning committee meeting.

Plans for five homes on the site of this property in Manea, sparked a debate about S106 contributions at a recent Fenland District council planning committee meeting.

Local government

MP Steve Barclay slams Fenland council as 'soft touch' over S106 payments

Fenland District Council offices in March, Cambridgeshire. Picture taken by LDR. Permission for use for all partners.

Fenland District Council offices in March, Cambridgeshire. Picture taken by LDR. Permission for use for all partners.

Fenland District Council

Fenland District Council accuses government of using local councils as ‘scapegoat’

The long-term redevelopment plans for the former Barclays Bank site in Broad Street, March have been defended by a senior Fenland councillor.

The long-term redevelopment plans for the former Barclays Bank site in Broad Street, March have been defended by a senior Fenland councillor.

Fenland District Council

Long-term plans for town centre site defended after car park suggestion

Cambridgeshire MP Stephen Barclay has raised fresh questions over drainage, restoration and regulation at Saxon Pit in Whittlesey

Cambridgeshire MP Stephen Barclay has raised fresh questions over drainage, restoration and regulation at Saxon Pit in Whittlesey

Cambridgeshire County Council

Cambridgeshire MP Steve Barclay has new questions on Whittlesey's Saxon Pit

The former chapel and masonic hall in Wisbech which is now set to become a café and wellbeing centre

The former chapel and masonic hall in Wisbech which is now set to become a café and wellbeing centre

Planning and development

Former masonic temple can be turned into café and wellbeing centre

MP Steve Barclay is concerned about the lack of transparency over developer contributions towards local infrastructure such as schools, health services, and leisure facilities.

MP Steve Barclay is concerned about the lack of transparency over developer contributions towards local infrastructure such as schools, health services, and leisure facilities.

Fenland District Council

MP accuses Fenland Council of 'failing to secure' developer contributions

The new toilets in March town centre remain closed nearly six months after they were due to open.

The new toilets in March town centre remain closed nearly six months after they were due to open.

Fenland District Council

New town centre toilets remain locked up months after expected opening

Plans have gone in for a change of use from agricultural land to non-residential education on land south west of Washbrook Farm, including the siting of a wooden log cabin to act as an office and wet weather classroom.

Plans have gone in for a change of use from agricultural land to non-residential education on land south west of Washbrook Farm, including the siting of a wooden log cabin to act as an office and wet weather classroom.

Plans for alternative education ‘Farm Club’ classroom on Doddington meadow

The Dun Cow in Green Lane, Christchurch, has lodged a full planning application for a single-storey side and rear extension, a change of use to add rural tourism and three holiday pods on adjoining land.

The Dun Cow in Green Lane, Christchurch, has lodged a full planning application for a single-storey side and rear extension, a change of use to add rural tourism and three holiday pods on adjoining land.

Village pub plans bigger restaurant and glamping pods

Fenland District Council

Update on Fenland 50 local plan consultation

Fenland District Council offices in March, Cambridgeshire. Picture taken by LDR. Permission for use for all partners.

Fenland District Council offices in March, Cambridgeshire. Picture taken by LDR. Permission for use for all partners.

Fenland District Council

Developer ‘making mockery’ of FDC for rolling back £50k pledge to fund local services

Owners of a bungalow in the open March countryside have been granted a lawful use certificate after breaching a planning condition for more than 20 years.

Owners of a bungalow in the open March countryside have been granted a lawful use certificate after breaching a planning condition for more than 20 years.

Fenland District Council

Decades-long breach sees March bungalow freed from farm occupancy tie

Flagship Homes head of partnerships and delivery Anna Cook-Bacon and Seagate Homes site manager Wayne Green (front) at the Wyatt Court site in Wimblington. Also pictured are, from left, James Ollington from Flagship Homes, Grace Harper from Richard

Flagship Homes head of partnerships and delivery Anna Cook-Bacon and Seagate Homes site manager Wayne Green (front) at the Wyatt Court site in Wimblington. Also pictured are, from left, James Ollington from Flagship Homes, Grace Harper from Richard

Affordable housing

Dozens of new affordable homes set to be built in Fenland village

The traveller site near Wimblington. Credit: Google Maps

The traveller site near Wimblington. Credit: Google Maps

Cambridgeshire County Council

Traveller site expansion approved despite fears it could ‘dominate’ local communities

Cherryholt Farmhouse Richborough/Fenland District Council

Cherryholt Farmhouse Richborough/Fenland District Council

Fenland District Council

New development accused of turning Fenland town ‘almost into Milton Keynes’

An artist's impression of what the wellness centre might look like.

An artist's impression of what the wellness centre might look like.

Fenland District Council

Old go-kart track to become 'high-end glamping and wellness retreat' in Fenland

The former Barclays Bank site in March Broad Street was sold using the best and final offer method.

The former Barclays Bank site in March Broad Street was sold using the best and final offer method.

Fenland District Council

March regeneration project update as preferred buyer chosen for bank site sale

A telecommunications infra-structure firm is looking to install a mast and base on land outside the Men of March pub in March.

A telecommunications infra-structure firm is looking to install a mast and base on land outside the Men of March pub in March.

20-metre high mobile phone mast planned for outside town pub

Fenland Council wants to build 12 homes on derelict land off Grounds Avenue in March, including 10 flats.

Fenland Council wants to build 12 homes on derelict land off Grounds Avenue in March, including 10 flats.

Fenland District Council

Fenland Council plans to build 12 homes on derelict land including 10 flats

In the refreshed dance studio, from left, Freedom area technical manager Sam Fabela, Cllr Susan Wallwork, Fenland’s head of leisure services Phil Hughes.

In the refreshed dance studio, from left, Freedom area technical manager Sam Fabela, Cllr Susan Wallwork, Fenland’s head of leisure services Phil Hughes.

Fenland District Council

Major works at Fenland town's leisure centre reaching final stages

The chunk of wall that has been left standing after it was discovered to be supporting the adjoining Sharman Quinney premises is clearly visible on the right of this picture.

The chunk of wall that has been left standing after it was discovered to be supporting the adjoining Sharman Quinney premises is clearly visible on the right of this picture.

Fenland District Council

Developer warns Fenland Council faces extra cost over demolition of former bank

An artist's impression of how the new Manor Leisure Centre might look.

An artist's impression of how the new Manor Leisure Centre might look.

Fenland District Council

Major redevelopment of Fenland town's leisure centre takes step forward

Plans to build a house with a builders yard on a site off Cross Road in March have been approved despite safety concerns from the owner of the neighbouring March Airfield.

Plans to build a house with a builders yard on a site off Cross Road in March have been approved despite safety concerns from the owner of the neighbouring March Airfield.

Warning airfield could close ignored as builders' yard plan gets go-ahead

Plans for five industrial units have been approved on the area of land marked in red despite objections put by highways officers on road safety grounds.

Plans for five industrial units have been approved on the area of land marked in red despite objections put by highways officers on road safety grounds.

Fenland District Council

Five new industrial units given green light despite road safety fears

Long-term planning guidance approved for Fenland District

Long-term planning guidance approved for Fenland District

Planning and development

New planning guidance to shape housing and development

Cambridgeshire County Council's planning committee refuses Johnson's Aggregates plans to expand its Saxon Pit operations.

Cambridgeshire County Council's planning committee refuses Johnson's Aggregates plans to expand its Saxon Pit operations.

Cambridgeshire County Council

Councillors ignore officers to refuse Johnson Aggregates huge expansion plans

Renewed plans submitted for a change of use for Wildflower Barn in Stocking Drove, Chatteris, but the town council is objecting.

Renewed plans submitted for a change of use for Wildflower Barn in Stocking Drove, Chatteris, but the town council is objecting.

Fenland District Council

Owners of 'party house' holiday let fighting to legalise its use

A former curry house in Elwyn Road, March could be converted into three flats.

A former curry house in Elwyn Road, March could be converted into three flats.

Fenland District Council

Former curry house could become three new flats

An application to expand its operations by Johnson Aggregates is due to be decided next month.

An application to expand its operations by Johnson Aggregates is due to be decided next month.

Cambridgeshire County Council

‘Strong public presence matters’: residents urged to pack crunch meeting

An example of traditional Whittlesey mud walls.

An example of traditional Whittlesey mud walls.

A4 Southern Bypass

New protections for irreplaceable element of Fenland town’s heritage

The owners of F&S Majestic Turkish Restaurant claim their signage has been designed to match the

The owners of F&S Majestic Turkish Restaurant claim their signage has been designed to match the

Fenland District Council

Legal warning on 'inconsistent' decision making amid restaurant sign U-turn