Representation by Nigel Seamarks
- Date submitted
- 14 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Anglian Water misled the public during the consultation. Anglian Water stated their was a capacity requirement; and the Capacity requirement was a National Infrastructure requirement. This is not the case. The consultation stage should be re-examined. The case now is that the project is a National Infrastructure project for housing needs. It is well publicised in the local media and within local government that the current new housing stock in Cambridge is being marketed and sold in Asia due to no local demand based on housing pricing. Cambridge does have a need for local cost housing for young people. The previous Mayor identified Cambridge requirement is for £100k housing for Young and other groups. The developers are not able to meet the 40% low cost housing local planning requirement on new builds U&C Waterbeach (North Cambridge) nor at the RLWE Waterbeach (North Cambridge). These two developments are delivering 12,000 houses but cannot meet the low cost housing demand. None of the housing will come close to the ex-Mayors vision of £100k truly affordable housing. For example a Nurse is typically on £32k - the housing need for Nurses is £100k-£120k. Anglian Water could redevelop the existing site and still the Council could build adequate housing for local people. We need to break the cycle of developments which are outside the reach of Nurses, Young people etc etc Why build the new water plant on greenbelt ? The Waterbeach developments for the housing need is already displacing wildlife. The local environment is already stretched we are adding 12,000 homes and this Greenbelt development is adding more. Where are people going to wonder; diabetes is already at a record high and we should protect our outside “gyms”. Outside “gyms” are free to all and offer Mental Health relaxation. We should not allow further greenbelt losses. The developers would love to develop across the Fen Edge and we owe it to the next generations to say No. Anglian Water’s proposal is not going to help local people. Sustainability numbers are extremely iffy no real consideration for decommissioning or low cost redevelopment. Local people are fed up with the 40% low cost home requirement being watered down. I would recommend The Inspector rejects the application and recommends a revised application is decided upon by local elected members rather than allowing a Coach and Horses approach. Save the Fen, Think sustainability, protect the greenbelt reject the application back to local government. Let local people decide as per the Govt Planning outline.