Representation by Emma Russell
- Date submitted
- 19 July 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I believe there are multiple compelling reasons for the sewage works not to be relocated. Firstly, building on green belt land is contrary to national and local planning policies. The current sewage works is adequate and could easily be upgraded for future capacity and therefore claiming the move is essential infrastructure is disingenuous. As there is a plan to build houses on the vacated brownfield site, this is tantamount to building a housing estate on green belt land, but much worse because of the size and magnitude of the new works. Honey Hill is a beautiful area which is a classic part of Cambridge's northern approach. The proposed site is not suitable to sink the structures needed for the infrastructure of the sewage works because of the principal chalk aquifer and therefore building such immense structures is going to hugely detract from this. An area that is teeming with wildlife and an integral part of fens that needs to be preserved will be destroyed by the works. People also make frequent use of this area, walking dogs, running, cycling or just enjoying nature. Claims that people will flock to the site to use paths built around the sewage works site are pure fantasy, nobody goes to nature to be near a multi storey building full of human waste. So effectively this area that is used for recreation and preservation will be lost. The construction and operational traffic of the site is going to overwhelm the already overburdened local infrastructure and happens to lie directly between Horningsea and our local primary school in Fen Ditton. This increase in heavy traffic will result in the route becoming too dangerous for children to cycle to school and will also reduce the safety of adults cycling and walking along this popular route. The Honey Hill site is prime agricultural land, and in times of growing food insecurity, it seems illogical to be sacrificing it. The environmental cost of moving the sewage works would be huge with immense amounts of carbon emitted. It does not make sense to fund projects that emit carbon when they are not absolutely essential, particularly as we try and achieve net zero as a country and across the globe. I believe the sewage works should remain where it is, the freed up public money could be invested elsewhere in projects that actually benefit the public, and consequently avoid a huge negative impact to both the local and global environment.