The city’s Local Plan, which will influence planning decisions for the coming years, has been referred back to Cabinet following a call-in of the decision.
At a special meeting of the Economy, Inclusive Growth and Environment Scrutiny Committee held tonight (15 September), members heard a call-in made by the Conservative group questioning the decision-making process used to approve the Local Plan for consultation at a Cabinet meeting in August.
The Local Plan is a key document which allows local authorities to guide development in their areas. It outlines what areas should and should not be developed and how land should be protected. The aim of the plan is to ensure there is a balance between development, environmental protection and public interest.
Members of the committee determined that the grounds for call-in had been established and therefore resolved to uphold the call-in. This decision was made for the following reasons, as agreed by a majority of committee members:
- poor decision making, hasn’t reasonably considered all other options, or consulted with officers;
- shortfall is a risk to Council, no Council oversight.
The committee accompanied its decision with a recommendation that Cabinet refer the matter to Full Council immediately.
The matter will now be discussed at a Cabinet meeting due to take place on Thursday 1 October to review the concerns and to make a further decision.
Councillor Numan Ali Iqbal, cabinet member for growth and regeneration at Peterborough City Council, said: “We are disappointed that a decision has been made by the committee to refer the decision back to Cabinet, however it is right that this very important document for our city’s growth gets the scrutiny and discussion that it deserves.
"Our Local Plan needs to be considered and in the best interests for the future growth of our city. It ensures growth in our city happens in the right way and in the right areas. It designates areas of the city for employment land, housing and even more importantly – stops development in areas which we want to retain as green space.
“We will take the committee’s recommendations back to Cabinet in October.
“As a city of growth and expansion, it is imperative that development takes place in a planned and organised way which would benefit the city’s long-term sustainable growth – with the needs of our residents firmly in mind.”
Background information:
- In January 2023, Full Council agreed to prepare a new Local Plan for Peterborough, which will replace the current Local Plan adopted in July 2019.
- In July 2023, the council consulted on the Issues and Option document. This document set out a series of questions about what could be included in the new Peterborough Local Plan. A Key Issues report was published in November 2023, which summarised the main issues raised. The comments helped inform the Draft Local Plan.
- In April 2025, the council consulted on the Draft Local Plan, which sets out the proposed policies and identified the preferred locations for growth for the first time. All comments received during the consultation period were assessed and taken into consideration during the production of the Proposed Submission Local Plan and appropriate changes made to the Plan.
- In January 2026, the council carried out consultation on an alternative site option on land west of Wittering. A Key Issues report summarising the comments received was published in May 2026.