Residents and businesses are being asked for their views on proposed changes to the Rural Settlement List for 2026/2027.

The list is made up of 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, owing 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 below will no longer be able to apply for Rural Rate Relief.

You can access the proposed Rural Settlement List on our website.

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 2026/27. East Cambs residents who would like the opportunity to get involved in local decision making by acting as a sounding board for future policy or service proposals, can join the register of consultees to share their views.

More information is available on the council’s website.