Concern for biodiversity and human health over Anglian Water’s sewage plant move

Anglian Water has failed to explain how it would mitigate the impact on habitats and wildlife when it moves its sewage plant into the green belt, according to Cambridgeshire County Council.

The authority said it is concerned the proposed plans to switch the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant in the north of the city to Honey Hill “do not effectively secure conservation of biodiversity”.

The council also argues the impacts on “human health” of decommissioning the existing sewage works have not been “adequately addressed”.

And it is concerned about access to Fen Ditton Primary School during the construction of the site.

Anglian Water has filed a Development Consent Order (DCO) application for examination by the National Planning Inspectorate.

The relocation of the sewage works will enable the development of a new North East Cambridge district, which could eventually be home to more than 8,000 new homes and create around 15,000 jobs. In March 2019, £277million of funding was allocated to Anglian Water and Cambridge City Council from the government to fund it.

But campaigners have said they are “devastated and disappointed” at the proposals to build the new works on a site north of the A14, between the villages of Fen Ditton, Horningsea and Stow-cum-Quy.

At a meeting of the county council’s environment and green investment committee on July 13, councillors unanimously endorsed a response to the proposals.

The council’s report said there were concerns the plans “do not demonstrate how adverse impacts” to a number of wildlife sites, habitats and protected species would be mitigated or compensated. It warned there would be “significant adverse impact on the landscape both visually and as a result of traffic” from the building work, and more could be done to offset the impact on communities.

Impacts on human health of decommissioning the existing works had not been “adequately addressed”, the report said, adding: “The council would seek further clarity regarding the decommissioning process and responsibility for decontamination of the site prior to redevelopment.

“Clarity is needed on the decommissioning timelines, ie how long is the decommissioning process, at what point does it start, and how long are the gaps between each stage?

“There are concerns that once the site is decommissioned there may be a considerable gap until the site is redeveloped.

“Disused sites such as this may become targets for theft, vandalism and general anti-social behaviour, this can lead to increased community perceptions of lack of safety.”

The report highlighted seemingly contradictory statements about access to Fen Ditton Primary School and said more information was needed to “ensure a good access is maintained throughout the construction phase”.

The council supported plans to set up an advisory group to help with the detailed management and maintenance plans for the landscape.

But it was “unclear” how this group will come together and highlighted that funding will be needed to support “effective participation by key stakeholders”.

Officers explained that the issues raised could be resolved during the examination process and via discussions with Anglian Water.

The council has called on the issues to be resolved before consent is givent.

Cllr Peter McDonald (Lib Dem, Duxford) thought the proposed response raised “many questions residents in that area will be asking”.

The committee supported the response to the consultation, but Cllr Nick Gay (Lab, Market) said the influence the county council has on the overall process was “limited”.