Green wall screen for proposed site for new Anglia Water waste water treatment plant serving Cambridge region
A huge grass wall would be created to screen the relocated 22-hectare sewage works for Greater Cambridge, the latest consultation reveals.
However, the “tallest elements of the plant” including the 26-metre high sewage digesters would still be visible.
Karen Barclay, head of the Cambridge relocation public consultation for Anglian Water, said: “It’s rare nowadays that a waste water treatment facility of this significance is built from the ground up, and we fully appreciate people and communities may be anxious about it.
“We hope our proposals can allay some of the concerns previously expressed and show that we are genuine in our intent to create both a really innovative facility and new space for wildlife, all accessible on new paths that link with the existing local network.”
The company announced in January that it had selected the area north of the A14 between Fen Ditton and Horningsea from three options.
The decision, which will be subject to a development consent order, came as a major blow to campaigners who fought to prevent the site - known locally as Honey Hill - from becoming what they dubbed ‘Poo Corner’.
The water company says the initial design has been inspired by ancient Fen hill forts and is asking the public for their views.
It says the proposals follow feedback received by local communities in first consultation in 2020 and with advice from The Design Council, an independent charity and the government’s strategic advisor on design.
Anglian Water says the design is underpinned by “four core requirements” established by the first consultation. These are odour prevention, carbon footprint, environmental opportunities and community value.
The proposals feature a discovery centre, which will provide educational opportunities for local schools and communities, the extension of current footpaths and creation of new ones, and plans to raise the biodiversity value of the site by a minimum of 10 per cent.
“The grassy bank will blend in with the surrounding landscape as it matures, both providing an immediate screen to the facility and creating new habitat for wildlife,” the company said.
It adds that additional landscaping and tree planting will “protect viewpoints” including from Horningsea and Fen Ditton.
Anglian Water pledged to create a state-of-the-art, carbon neutral facility powered by its own green energy, which would recycle water and nutrients, returning clean water to the River Cam.
More than 5,600 homes and a million square feet of commercial space can be built on the site currently occupied by the Anglian Water plant on Cowley Road alone, with more in the surrounding land owned by the city council.
The government has allocated £227million from its housing infrastructure funding (HIF) to Anglian Water and Cambridge City Council to fund the relocation.
The new plant is not an operational necessity for the water company, but is required to enable the development of North East Cambridge, which represents prime residential and commercial space.
More than 9,700 residents and businesses in the surrounding area will be sent details of the design by post and invited to comment on it.
A virtual online exhibition will also be available at cwwtpr.com and community webinars will be held on July 7, 8 and 10.
This phase of the consultation will run until August 18, after which all feedback will be considered and presented back to the community as part of phase three consultation next year.
Read more:
‘Absolute twaddle!’ Horningsea villagers reject claim new sewage works will be a popular day out
Anglian Water reveals its proposed site for new waste water treatment plant serving Cambridge region
Save Honey Hill residents’ group: ‘We’ll fight on over relocation of Anglian Water sewage works’
