COUNCILLORS REJECT WASTE WATER TREATMENT MOVE

Council chiefs have recommended waste water treatment works near Cambridge should not be moved after listening to the public and receiving draft indications from a high level study.
Cambridgeshire County Councillors heard at Cabinet today, Tuesday, that the works near Milton need not be moved to Honey Hill. However, they were keen to see the existing facilities improved ready for future housing growth, including environmental measures to reduce any smells and nuisance.

The Cambridge Northern Fringe study, examining the viability of redevelopment options for Cambridge Northern Fringe East, is being finalised by Cambridgeshire Horizons on behalf of Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Council officers advised Cabinet that although the study is not yet complete, it is clear from the work done so far that comprehensive redevelopment on the entire Northern Fringe East site will not be viable in the foreseeable future. On this basis, the relocation of the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Works is not deliverable and the works would therefore be retained on the current site.

The Cowley Road area had previously been identified as a possible site for new housing in Cambridge City Council’s Local Development Plan which would have led to the relocation of the water works.

Once the possibility of housing in this area had been put forward, it fell to County planners to investigate other possible locations for the waste water works. Alternative locations, including Honey Hill, were then proposed in the preparation of the Cambridge and Peterborough Minerals and Waste Plan. But following extensive public consultation Councillors wanted to reinvestigate the options for the Cowley Road site.

Cllr Matt Bradney, Lead Member for Planning and Regional Matters, said: “We are pleased that the future of this important growth area is clearer. We can now start to plan development to meet the needs of the local community. We listened very closely to the concerns of the communities who did not want to see this facility moved. Councils are often criticised for not listening and I hope this shows that we do take the community’s views on board.

“If the water treatment works does indeed remain in its current location, it will need to be extended and developed to meet the needs of a growing city while reducing its impact on the local environment.”

Today’s decision means the relocation of the waste water treatment works will not form part of the forthcoming public consultation on the next stage of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Minerals and Waste Plan (preferred options 2). The consultation is due to start in September and last six weeks.
ENDS

Notes for Editors:

For more information contact Simon Lacey on 01223 712547 or Councillor Matt Bradney, Lead Member for Planning and Regional Matters, on 01954 204347 or 07739 393137.

For further political contacts for Environment and Community Services: Liberal Democrat spokes Judy Broadway on 01359 244047; Labour spokes Elizabeth Hughes on 01223 313764.

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