Cambridge Planning Portal: Search, Map, Login & Applications

Search Cambridge planning applications

Use Greater Cambridge Public Access to search Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire applications, appeals, tree works, enforcement and related records.

Use map search

Use map search for colleges, university sites, development parcels, parks, lanes, rear gardens, conservation areas, river-edge sites and unclear addresses.

Log in or register

Register when you want to comment, track a case, save a search, create map alerts or receive email notifications about changed applications.

Check planning permission

Search property history, restrictions, conservation constraints and prior approvals before assuming a project is permitted development.

Submit an application

Use the Planning Portal and the right Cambridge City or South Cambridgeshire validation checklist before uploading documents.

County, minerals or waste

Use Cambridgeshire County Council planning pages for minerals, waste, Regulation 3 and county planning matters, not the Cambridge City portal.

Best uses for map search

• Cambridge colleges and university sites.
• Station, city-centre and mixed-use development areas.
• River Cam, open space, tree and conservation-area cases.
• Rear garden, lane, car park, garage and courtyard sites.
• Land parcels without a normal house number.
• Monitoring development near your home or business.

Map micro-steps

• Open Public Access map search.
• Pan and zoom to the street, site or neighbourhood.
• Use layers and filters to reduce clutter.
• Click a case marker to open brief details.
• Open the full case record from the marker.
• Use the ruler only as an indicative measure, not legal evidence.

Planning points that can help

• Design, appearance, materials and how the proposal fits the street.
• Loss of light, overshadowing, outlook, privacy or residential amenity.
• Parking, traffic, cycle access, public walkways and road safety.
• Noise, fumes, smell, plant, vents, deliveries and hours of use.
• Effects on listed buildings, conservation areas and historic Cambridge settings.
• Nature conservation, ecology, trees, river corridor and wildlife impacts.
• Relevant Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire, Greater Cambridge or Local Plan policies.

Weak or non-planning points

• Loss of property value.
• Private boundary, covenant, lease or party-wall disputes.
• Personal criticism of the applicant or neighbour.
• Business competition alone.
• General dislike without planning evidence.
• Speculation not supported by the plans or reports.
• Private view loss without wider townscape or amenity impact.

Before starting the application

• Confirm whether the site is Cambridge City or South Cambridgeshire.
• Choose the correct application type.
• Check the relevant validation checklist.
• Prepare ownership certificates and notices where required.
• Calculate the fee through the Planning Portal.
• Prepare plans and reports before paying.

Core documents often needed

• Completed application form.
• Correct fee or exemption evidence.
• Ownership certificate A, B, C or D.
• Location plan with red-line boundary.
• Existing and proposed site plans.
• Existing and proposed floor plans and elevations.
• Design and access statement where required.
• Technical reports triggered by site or proposal.

Historic city and colleges

Listed buildings, conservation areas, college sites and historic streets may need heritage statements and carefully justified design changes.

Cycles, parking and access

Cambridge planning often turns on cycle parking, car parking, servicing, public walkways, highway safety and movement around constrained streets.

Trees, river and ecology

River Cam settings, trees, wildlife, biodiversity and landscape can require specialist reports or design changes.

Research campuses and major sites

Biomedical, university and employment sites can involve transport, Section 106, design, sustainability, utilities and environmental evidence.

Air quality and noise

Some developments need air quality, noise, odour, plant and ventilation details, especially near roads, commercial uses or sensitive receptors.

Neighbour amenity

Overlooking, roof terraces, side windows, overshadowing, outlook, noise and private amenity space are common Cambridge planning issues.

Petition basics

• Neighbour letters allow 21 days for comments.
• A qualifying objection petition needs at least 25 signatures and addresses of Cambridge city residents.
• The objection petition must be received within the initial 21-day consultation period.
• A support petition can be considered only if there is also a qualifying objection petition.
• A support petition must be received within seven days of the close of the initial 21-day consultation period.

Forum reality

• The forum is for early discussion of planning issues.
• It aims to explore consensus and possible changes.
• It is not the final decision meeting.
• Petitioners should clearly state planning concerns.
• Contact democratic.services@cambridge.gov.uk if a qualifying petition route is being used.

Tree and hedge checks

• Search tree works records in Public Access.
• Check conservation area controls.
• Check Tree Preservation Orders.
• Check planning conditions protecting trees or landscaping.
• Use map search for tree cases when the address is unclear.

Enforcement checks

• Search application history first.
• Search enforcement records if available.
• Collect address, date, photos and description.
• Explain the planning harm or condition breach.
• Do not use enforcement for boundary, lease, covenant or party-wall disputes.

If approved

Check every condition, approved plan number, time limit, materials condition, landscaping requirement, construction control and pre-commencement condition before starting work.

If refused

Read each refusal reason before changing the design or appealing. Appeal-stage procedures and deadlines depend on the application type.