Representation by Eva Dangerfield
- Date submitted
- 19 July 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I object to the proposed relocation of the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant for the reasons raised below: - There is no operational need to move the sewage works. Anglian Water have confirmed this. The existing works has capacity until 2050 and my understanding is that the new proposed sewage works would not be designed for requirements beyond 2050. - I do not believe that £227 million of taxpayers’ money, in the form of HIF funding (Housing Infrastructure Fund), should be paying for the move of the sewage works. Especially not during a cost of living crisis and when the NHS, state education and social care are suffering from underfunding. - High carbon cost of replacing the existing sewage works. In this time of climate emergency, I do not think that it is justifiable to use the amount of concrete that will be necessary to replace a functioning sewage works. This will also make it difficult for Cambridge City Council to meet its ambition to be carbon net zero by 2030. Decommissioning the existing sewage works and decontaminating it to make it suitable for building homes on will also add to the carbon footprint of the proposed project. - The proposal involves building on green belt, which goes against national and local planning policies. - The pollution that would be caused by construction and operational traffic between Horningsea and Fen Ditton Primary School given that daily an estimated 140 HGV sludge lorries would be coming and going from the new sewage works. I think that creating a dedicated, separate road to the proposed site off the A14, as was suggested during a previous consultation, would be best. This would mean the road between Horningsea and Fen Ditton, including to the primary school, would not have a large amount of industrial traffic on it. This is even more important given it is a cycle route used between the two villages, including by primary school children. - I do not think that the proposed new site is suitable for the replacement sewage works as there is a principle chalk aquifer there and DEFRA has stated this is at high risk of groundwater contamination. The principal chalk aquifer is a source of drinking water and should be protected. - From a design point of view, the proposed new site is unsuitable because the principal chalk aquifer prevents the tall structures such as the 20 metre high digester towers being sunk into the ground as they are currently at the existing sewage works. This means the proposed replacement sewage works would impose far more on its surroundings than the existing works. This is extremely unsatisfactory given what could be achieved on an appropriate relocation site where a genuinely state of the art design could be implemented. - The proposed site would be changed irrevocably from a flat landscape to one where the proposed 5 metre high bund would be totally inadequate to conceal the 20 metre tall sewage digesters of the replacement works. - Lighting on the site where there is none currently, as it is green belt land, will have a detrimental effect on wildlife and biodiversity. Especially given the site will be operational around the clock. - The area of green belt proposed as the location of the replacement sewage works, Honey Hill, is a recreational area frequented by locals and important for mental health and well-being. Despite Anglian Water’s plans for public paths close to the new sewage works I doubt its appeal for recreational activities such as walking and cycling due to the proximity to the industrial site that the sewage works would be. - The replacement sewage works and pipework required for sewage from Waterbeach will reduce the amount of arable farmland. Given the climate emergency and its link to food insecurity this seems reckless. - I do not think enough consideration has been given to the sewage works staying where it is or moving to an appropriate site that is not green belt or the site of a principal chalk aquifer. - Adverse effect of odour from the sewage works and the impact this would have on Fen Ditton Primary School, residences and businesses in the vicinity. - Adverse effect on Quy Fen, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, such as the risk of contamination of groundwater and disturbance to its flora and fauna.