Some areas of the county will see bigger rises than others
David Dubas-Fisher Data Investigations Editor
06:00, 22 Mar 2026
People across Cambridgeshire will see their council tax bills rise in April.(Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Council tax bills are set to rise for most households in the country from April. The bulk of councils are set to increase bills by the maximum amount. This stands at 4.99 percent without town halls having to trigger a referendum.
Peterborough council falls into this category. It means Band D bills in the city will be increasing by £88 a year to £1,851. That’s not including any extras like parish precepts or police and fire services.
Increases vary across the rest of Cambridgeshire. The County Council is upping its bills by 4.99 percent. Huntingdonshire District Council are increasing their bills by 3.01 percent, while Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire are increasing theirs by 2.99 percent. Both East Cambridgeshire and Fenland are set to freeze their portion of people’s bills.
It means people in Cambridge will see their Band D bills rise by £92 to £2,025 when including the county council increase. In Huntingdonshire, Band D bills will be up by £90 to £1,956, in South Cambridgeshire by £90 to £1,966, in East Cambridgeshire by £85 to £1,928, and in Fenland by £85 to £2,040.
Some local authorities in England were given special permission by the government to go beyond the maximum. North Somerset and Shropshire will both be increasing bills by 8.99 percent. Worcestershire County council, meanwhile, will be putting up bills by 8.98 percent.
Both Trafford and Windsor & Maidenhead will be increasing by 7.49 percent, and Warrington by 7.48 percent.
You can find out how much your bills will increase by using our interactive. Simply enter your postcode to see the increase by your council.
The percentage increases have been collected thanks to extensive research by the Mirror. They cover the rises in every lower tier and upper tier council. They do not include, however, police and fire increases, parish council precepts or mayoral increases.
The developers proposed a mixed of “high quality” one, two, three and four-bedded homes
Land at West Newlands in St Ives Road, Somersham (stock image)(Image: Google)
Plans to build over 50 new homes in a Cambridgeshire village have been refused over environmental concerns. In December 2024, Bellway Homes proposed to build 52 homes, as well as access and an open space on land at West Newlands on St Ives Road, Somersham.
The developers proposed for there to be a mix of “high quality” one-bed to four-bed homes, offering both private and affordable housing. The applicants said it was an “opportunity to provide 52 new homes in an appropriate and sustainable location”.
Each property was designed to have parking, and an open space was planned for the north and south of the site. Huntingdonshire District Council has refused these plans after it raises concerns over the applicant’s waste water management.
In its decision document, a HDC planning officer said: “The application fails to demonstrate that the proposed development can be accommodated within the existing wastewater treatment infrastructure without resulting in deterioration of water quality or environmental harm to designated habitat sites.”
In its design, Bellway Homes said it had an agreement with the Environment Agency and Anglian Water that “waste water flows from the proposal can be accommodated”. In making its decision, HDC said Anglian Water told the council that Somersham Water Recycling Centre was “operating above its permitted dry weather flow limit”.
It added that it was “unable to accommodate additional flows” that would come from the development. The council added: “The Environment Agency and Natural England have not been able to confirm that the development would avoid compromising the requirements of the water framework directive or the habitats regulations.”
The developers can appeal the decision within six months of the decision notice being published.
Local residents have raised concerns about the recent appearance of the site
14:47, 23 Feb 2026Updated 20:13, 23 Feb 2026
There are concerns about a lorry park near Huntingdon (stock image)(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
An ‘illegal’ lorry park has been issued an Enforcement Notice by a Cambridgeshire council. An investigation into environmental concerns relating to the lorry park is ongoing, according to Huntingdon MP Ben Obese-Jecty.
Mr Obese-Jecty said Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) has issued an enforcement notice and is investigating environmental concerns relating to an ‘illegal’ lorry park on the edge of Brington. The Enforcement Notice has reportedly been appealed by the landowner and a decision by the Planning Inspectorate is due.
Mr Obese-Jecty visited the site earlier this week and said that he had been contacted by nearby parish councils and local residents who have raised concerns about the recent appearance of the site and the activities taking place there.
He said that the council’s Environmental Health Service had visited the site and investigated concerns regarding pollution, oils, and fluids leaking into nearby waterways. The service requires more evidence of environmental pollution before they are able to take further action, Mr Obese-Jecty said.
The MP said: “I will continue to monitor this situation closely and the outcome of the Planning Inspectorate’s decision.”
A spokesperson for HDC said: “I can confirm we did issue a Planning Enforcement Notice in September 2025 against the unauthorised material change of use of the land. The tenants of the land have submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against our Enforcement Notice, which is currently under consideration and we await the Inspectors [sic] decision.”
Neighbours have urged Huntingdonshire District Council not to allow 23 new houses to be built behind their existing homes.
Land off Station Road, Kimbolton, where 23 homes are proposed to be built.(Image: Google)
Plans to build 23 new homes in Kimbolton have faced backlash from people living next to the proposed development site. Neighbours have shared concerns about privacy being “drastically” impacted, as well as asking whether the new homes are actually needed.
The homes are proposed to be built at Brittens Farm on the edge of the town. Of the 23 homes, nine are proposed to be made available as affordable housing, including seven as affordable rent, and two as shared ownership.
Developer Berwick Homes said its proposals would create a “sustainable development”. The company highlighted that Huntingdonshire District Council does not have a five year supply of deliverable housing.
It argued that any “minor impacts” of the development would be outweighed “by the need to provide additional housing in a highly sustainable location”.
Plans for the new homes have seen local backlash, with 27 objections lodged by members of the public, including from people whose homes back onto the site.
One objector said they had concerns about overlooking from the new homes, arguing that the development would “drastically affect” their privacy and the light reaching their windows. Another objector argued there was “no sense” to the development, questioning whether the homes are needed.
Concerns were also raised about the potential impact on the sewage network with one objector claiming there was a “risk of sewerage backing up and affecting all houses in the locality”.
Kimbolton Parish Council has also asked for the application to be refused, saying that the foul water and sewage systems in the area are “not adequate” to cope with the proposed development.
Anglian Water has made a holding objection to the development due to “capacity constraints and pollution risk”. The water company said Kimbolton Water Recycling Centre has capacity to accommodate “additional flows” from the proposed development. However, the company asked how surface water from the development will be dealt with.
Anglian Water has asked for a condition to be added to any planning permission requiring that the developer work with them on a strategy to remove surface water, and that no one can move into the new homes “prior to the successful delivery of the agreed solution”.
Planning officers respond to concerns
A planning officer report published by the district council acknowledged concerns about existing sewage and drainage issues. They said they are satisfied that Anglian Water and the developer have provided enough information to “demonstrate that a technical solution [is] achievable to ensure the proposed development can remain safe for its lifetime”.
Officers also highlighted that the scope of the planning application is “limited to mitigating the impacts arising directly from the proposed development”. They said: “The responsibility for addressing wider, pre-existing issues relating to sewer capacity and maintenance lies with Anglian Water as the statutory undertaker.
“The proposed development must demonstrate that it can be accommodated without exacerbating existing problems, and the recommended condition requiring a detailed foul water drainage strategy is intended to ensure that any new connections or arrangements are sustainable and appropriately managed.
“The recommended condition would need to be discharged prior to the commencement of development, and Anglian Water would be part of the decision-making in considering the acceptability or otherwise of the submitted details.”
Addressing concerns about the potential impact on neighbours’ privacy, officers said they had reviewed the proposed layout and elevations of the new homes, as well as the separation distances. They said they did not think the development would cause any “detrimental overlooking” on neighbouring homes.
The report highlights that the lack of a five year housing land supply means there is a “presumption in favour of sustainable development” when the authority makes decisions on new housing developments.
Officers said the proposed development offered a number of benefits, including “contributing meaningfully” to the district’s housing supply, and building new affordable homes to meet the “significant affordable need” in the area.
Planning officers have recommended that the application would be approved, subject to conditions and the completion of a legal agreement. They have also recommended that if the legal agreement is not completed then the application should be refused.
Councillors are due to consider the application at a meeting on Monday (February 23), before making a decision on whether the development can go ahead or not.
Plans have been approved by Huntingdonshire District Council to turn an old water tower into a four-bedroom home.
The Perry Water Tower is due to be converted into a four-bedroom home.(Image: Google)
A “redundant” water tower on the edge of a Cambridgeshire village is set to be converted into a family home.
Huntingdonshire District Council has granted planning permission for the Perry Water Tower, in Crow Spinney Lane, Perry, to be turned into a four-bedroom home.
Timothy Matthews, who submitted the application, said he and his wife Lydia Dearden want to turn the old water tower into their new home.
He said: “We are hoping to convert the redundant water tower to become our family home. We are both retired and want to create our new shared family home in Perry.
“The water tower has been redundant for several years and has not been maintained by the previous owner who purchased the property from Anglian Water approximately three years ago.
“We believe the [proposed] design is of high quality and will enhance the street scene, specifically we have not increased the height and we have not included any windows on the elevations that overlook our three neighbours to ensure their privacy and avoid any light pollution.”
The plans proposed to create four-bedrooms, as well as building a single-storey extension to the back, and the creation of a standalone double garage.
The floorplans submitted to the district council show how rooms are proposed to be created within the old water tower, with main rooms in the centre of each floor, and smaller rooms around the edge.
Two balconies are also proposed to be created on the first floor of the water tower. The plans also show how a spiral staircase and a lift are proposed to be installed.
A planning officer at the district council who considered the application said the current water tower is a “stark concrete structure”.
They said the materials proposed to be used as part of the conversion would be acceptable and that the “scale, bulk and design of the development would not harm the general character of the area”.
The district council granted planning permission for the work subject to conditions, including that work must start within three years.
Councillors have supported plans for “significant investment” in Huntingdon’s leisure facilities, including building new pools, padel courts, and an artificial pitch.
The existing swimming pool in Huntingdon is set to be replaced with new facilities.(Image: Google)
Councillors have backed plans to build new swimming pools and fitness facilities at the leisure centre in Huntingdon. Proposals to ‘significantly invest’ in the facilities were described as being of “great benefit” to Huntingdonshire.
Huntingdonshire District Council submitted plans to extend and refurbish One Leisure Huntingdon, including building a new 25-metre eight-lane swimming pool, with a spectator seating area and a 13-metre learner pool.
New fitness suites are also planned, with a tennis court set to be replaced with a padel court, and a new full size artificial football pitch to be built.
Planning documents said the age and range of existing pool facilities meant the leisure centre is “not fulfilling its potential”. The plans added that refurbishing the existing pools to bring them up to the necessary standards is not considered commercially viable.
The new pools and fitness facilities are proposed to be built through a new two-storey extension to the ‘dry’ side leisure centre. The existing ‘wet’ side, where the pools are currently based, is proposed to be refurbished and used for non-pool related activities.
Duncan Mason, agent representing the district council, told councillors at a meeting on Monday (February 16) that the application represented a “significant investment in Huntingdon’s health, wellbeing and community sports provision”.
He said: “The proposals are a direct response to clear strategic priorities and evidenced community need. Huntingdon currently faces a measurable shortage of swimming facilities, indoor fitness provision, and accessible racket facilities, this scheme addresses these gaps.
“It also brings the wet-side and dry-side into a single coordinated hub, delivering necessary operational efficiencies and improving the user experience to far better align with customer modern day expectations.”
Mr Mason said the redevelopment would offer leisure facilities “of a quality that the people of Huntingdon deserve”. Support for the project was shared by Huntingdon Town Council and Sports England.
Concerns were raised by Anglian Water, which objected due to the Huntingdon (Godmanchester) Water Recycling Centre having “insufficient capacity to accept additional flows from the development”.
Planning officers at the district council pointed out that this would be a replacement facility, not an entirely new development. They also said the day-to-day foul flows would be slightly lower than at present, with higher rates expected when gala and event days take place.
Officers said on balance they recommended the application should be approved, due to the “substantial public benefits” outweighing the potential harms.
New facilities will be a ‘great benefit to Huntingdonshire’
Councillor Jon Neish said the committee had to “look quite carefully” at the plans, as they had been put forward by the district council. He said the concerns about foul water were “a bit of an issue”, but highlighted that the advice provided to them was that the new facility would offer an improvement.
Cllr Neish said: “I think overall it is a really good scheme that will really benefit Huntingdonshire. [The leisure centre] covers a massive area, a lot of people go there, not just from a swimming perspective, but for the other health benefits.”
Councillor Eric Butler said he thought it was a “good scheme” and said he would support it, but said he had some concerns about only creating an extra 10 parking spaces. He said: “Huntingdon itself is under quite a lot of growth at the moment and even more is coming.
“The parking provision, it bothers me a little bit, if you are looking to have higher turnover of users I do not think 10 extra spaces will be enough, I think you need more provision for that.”
Councillor Kevin Gulson said he shared this concern, but suggested there could be ways to encourage people who live nearby to walk or cycle to the leisure centre, rather than driving. He said he believed the plans for the new facilities would be a “great benefit to the town and Huntingdonshire”.
Councillors ultimately agreed unanimously to approve the application.
Huntingdonshire District Council wants to extend and refurbish a leisure centre it runs to meet growing demand for the facilities.
Illustrative image showing proposed extension to build new pools at One Leisure Huntingdon.(Image: Saunders Boston Architects / Huntingdonshire District Council)
New swimming pools and fitness facilities could be built in Huntingdon under plans to improve the town’s leisure centre. Huntingdonshire District Council has submitted a planning application to extend and refurbish One Leisure Huntingdon, including building new swimming pools and fitness suites. It also includes plans to relocate an artificial pitch and create new racket courts.
Councillors are due to consider the plans at a meeting on Monday, February 16. Planning documents submitted as part of the application said current pool facilities mean the leisure centre is “not fulfilling its potential” due to the age and range of what is available.
The plans said: “The extent of refurbishment works required to bring it up to a necessary standard is not considered commercially viable. It is proposed therefore that the ‘wet’ side facilities are to be merged with the ‘dry’ side offering by way of a two-storey extension. The existing ‘wet’ side facility is to be refurbished for non-pool related activities.”
A new 25-metre eight-lane swimming pool with a spectator seating area is proposed, as well as a 13-metre learner pool, and other associated facilities.
The plans said there is currently a “significant under provision” of swimming and fitness facilities in the district. It said: “It is evident that the provision of new swimming pools, fitness suites and external sports pitches will provide needed sports facilities helping to address identified deficiencies.
“The development proposals represent significant investment in council owned community infrastructure. There will be significant economic benefits during the construction period and subsequent benefits will stem from both increased operational employment and the socio-economic benefits of increased public participation in health and fitness.”
A report published ahead of the meeting next week highlights that support for the project has been shared by Huntingdon Town Council and Sports England.
An objection to the development has been raised by Anglian Water due to concerns about the plans for foul water drainage to go to the Huntingdon (Godmanchester) Water Recycling Centre. The report said this has “insufficient capacity to accept the additional flows from the development”.
Officers said they asked Anglian Water for more information about the concerns, including to what extent that development would result in a net increase in foul flows, given there is an existing leisure centre, and what the environmental harm could be.
The report said the response from Anglian Water explained that its objection did not take into account that this is a refurbishment and extension of an existing leisure centre, rather than a whole new facility being provided.
Officers said in the planning balance they gave weight to the “potential environmental risks arising from the additional flows generated by the expanded wet-side facilities”.
However, they also highlighted the “clear and substantial public benefits” of the project, including the upgraded health and recreation facilities. Officers said they therefore recommended that the application is approved, subject to conditions.
The report said: “Not all developments are entirely without harm or entirely without benefit. In reaching a recommendation, the identified harm has been carefully balanced against the benefits of the development.
“In this case, the cumulative benefits are considered sufficient to outweigh the identified less than substantial harm to a designated heritage asset and the environmental harm arising from the additional foul flows generated by the proposed development.”
Councillors will make the final decision on whether planning permission is granted for the proposed development when they consider the application next week.
