A guide to ensure the North Ely development meets the needs of the area and maintains the unique ethos of the city is going out to consultation.

The proposal for a northern extension to the city of some 3,000 homes, was first suggested as part of the Ely Masterplan and has subsequently been developed through joint working with the landowners and developers. .

An outline planning application has just been received for a part of the development from Endurance Estates Ltd on behalf of the Lee family, who own land to the east of Lynn Road. The Church Commissioners, who own the land to the west of Lynn Road have also amended and updated their planning application to reflect the recent discussions.

With online planning applications being submitted and prepared, East Cambridgeshire District Council is to consult with residents on its guidelines for the development of the whole of North Ely. These set out the key principles for the urban extension, describing how it should be developed as a 21st century community, and against which plans for the future development of the site will be judged.

The six week consultation will commence in October and consultation details will be available on the District Council’s website next month.

Councillor Peter Moakes, Chairman of Development and Transport Committee at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "With its spectacular cathedral, gentle pace of life, and riverside setting, Ely is a special place to live. It is clear, however, that there are long term growth pressures on the city. The Ely Masterplan highlighted the need to successfully manage this growth, rather than just allow more housing estates to be built with little provision for the infrastructure, services and facilities needed to support the new population.

"The District Council is committed to North Ely’s development being founded upon the key principles of high quality urban design and sustainability. This means looking for innovative architecture, clever use of green space and the creation of transport networks to help with the modern way we live and work. We also want to see a wide range of local facilities including: local shops, schools, community halls and a work hub.

"To ensure this can happen we have developed ‘The North Ely Supplementary Planning Document’ which sounds very technical, but it is essentially a guide to ensure North Ely develops as we would all want it to. Over the coming weeks, we want to hear the views of the local community to ensure we have the right design principles. The area to the north of the city is the last opportunity for large scale growth on the Isle of Ely – it is a challenge and a responsibility for us all to grasp and ensure Ely remains a special place."

For more information on the consultation please call 01353 665555 or visit www.eastcambs.gov.uk