Representation by Elizabeth Harrison
- Date submitted
- 18 July 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant Relocation: I strongly object to the proposed relocation of the sewage works to the Honey Hill green belt area. Our green belt is an invaluable asset that should be protected and preserved for its environmental, ecological, and recreational benefits. It serves as a vital green lung, providing essential ecosystem services, including air purification, carbon sequestration, and habitat for numerous plant and animal species. Relocating a sewage works to this area would result in the destruction of natural habitats, leading to a loss of biodiversity and potential disruption of local ecosystems. This would have far-reaching implications for the overall health of the environment, negatively affecting both flora and fauna. Moving the sewage works to this sensitive area not only undermines the fundamental purpose of the green belt, but also poses a significant threat to the local environment, specifically the chalk aquifer, a crucial source of clean water for the area. The chalk aquifer is, according to DEFRA, at high risk of groundwater contamination, and any leakage or spillage of sewage from the works could directly compromise the quality and safety of this vital water resource. The potential introduction of harmful substances, pollutants, and pathogens into the aquifer could have severe consequences for public health and the surrounding ecosystem. As I’m sure you are aware, 85% of the world’s chalk streams are found in the UK, 29% in East Anglia alone and it is common knowledge that the chalk waterways have been largely destroyed. It is unbelievable that local government would consider a project that could further threaten these vital water courses. Honey Hill should have been instantly discounted as an option for a sewage works, it is beyond comprehension as to why it has even got to this stage. It is our shared responsibility, as residents of Horningsea and the wider community, to safeguard our green belt and chalk aquifers for the benefit of present and future generations. I trust that you will give this objection the careful consideration it deserves.