Residents and businesses are being asked for their views on proposed changes to the Rural Settlement List for 2026 to 2027.
The list is made for up to 40 rural settlements in East Cambridgeshire with a population of less than 3000.
Businesses operating within the boundaries of these settlements will not pay business rates if they are:
- the only village shop or post office, with a rateable value of up to £8,500
- the only public house or petrol station, with a rateable value of up to £12,500
Larger settlements in the district, such as Ely, Soham, Littleport, Burwell and Fordham do not appear on the list.
This year, due to the population of Haddenham being more than 3000 at 31 December 2025, it is proposed it is removed from the list. The impact of this is that any business in Haddenham that meets the criteria will no longer be able to apply for Rural Rate Relief.
You can access the proposed Rural Settlement List on this webpage.
If you have any comments on the list, for example, whether a settlement should be removed or added, please let the council know by 5pm on Friday 6 March 2026, by emailing kieran.carr@eastcambs.gov.uk or by writing to Kieran Carr at East Cambridgeshire District Council, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4EE.
Please provide as much evidence as possible to explain why you think a change is needed. Following the consultation, a final list will be prepared and published for the financial year 2026 to 2027.