Back to list Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant Relocation

Representation by Carol Ernestine Parker

Date submitted
17 July 2023
Submitted by
Members of the public/businesses
  1. Why build over the Chalk Aquifer? In the ever increasing threat of global warming, with increasing sudden and heavy rainfall, Waste Water Treatment plants are overflowing on site. There is a risk of untreated waste water flooding through the ground below, polluting the nearby arable land and also onto the A14. Surely the aim of a Waste Water Treatment Plant is to produce clean water, not destroy the pure natural underground water? 2. Why build in a Green Belt Site? Building on Green Belt is contrary to National and Local Planning Policies. This is a serious change of landscape from fenland to a major plant, both in surface area size (about 30 football pitches) and some structures, several stories high. This will have a serious impact on the conservation areas of two villages: Horningsea and Fen Ditton. No tree planting scheme, even if they were giant sequoia redwood trees, would hide this monstrosity. 3. Why build on an elevated position? All waste water will have to be pumped up to the new plant. No matter how many fail safe devices are installed, at some point these will fail. Being on an elevated position, there is a major risk of the waste water backing up in the city with irreplaceable or costly damage to the city. Insurance policies cover flooding but not damage caused by a failed waste water treatment plant. How can building a Waste Water Treatment Plant on an elevated position, be a sound solution? 4. Why build where there is poor access? The roads around the proposed site are inadequate to cope with both the construction and ongoing operational traffic. There is no guarantee of substantial road improvements, even where possible. Some roads which would be a short cut to the plant cannot be improved, such as High Ditch Road. The latter is barely wide enough for two vehicles, has very few pavements and a narrow bridge, being totally unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles. This is another reason why this is an impractical location for this treatment plant. 5. Why is it being built now? We are advised that the current Waste Water Treatment Plant is fit for purpose until 2050. Even if a new plant is essential, there is plenty of time to find a less harmful and safer location, without impacting conservation and green belt areas. 6. Is there a need for a totally new Waste Water Treatment Plant? In this current economic climate, why build a new Plant? Likewise, isn’t the increased carbon footprint of building a new plant unnecessary? 7. Why set a precedent? If planning permission is granted for the building of this huge Waste Water Treatment Plant, breaching the Green Belt, it will set a precedent and anything else can be granted planning permission. Is it the intention to industrialise north of the A14 and permanently destroy this rural area?