Planners warn that 8,000 new homes may be needed if sewage works relocation doesn’t happen
The current sewage plant is in the way of a big development project in North East Cambridge. If the plant stays put, it could really throw a wrench in the housing plans.
The councils are banking on this move to help meet the housing demand in the coming years. But, here’s the kicker: the government keeps delaying the decision on whether to relocate the sewage works to a green belt area at Honey Hill.
The planners are still working under the assumption that the move will happen. But if it doesn’t, they’ll have to scramble to find other places to build those homes.
Last week, the Liberal Democrat council shared a timeline for the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, which is due by December 2026. They’re planning to consult the public this autumn.
Stephen Kelly from the planning service mentioned that they’re counting on the redevelopment of the sewage site to help meet housing needs. He also pointed out that the new facility would help manage waste from the growing Waterbeach New Town.
But he did caution that if the sewage site isn’t available, they’ll need to rethink where to build those homes, which could be a real challenge given the tight timeline.
The Local Plan is crucial for guiding development in the area until 2040, and it includes plans for up to 8,000 homes. Developers are already eyeing plans for 5,600 of those homes in a new community called Hartree.
Anglian Water is pushing for permission to move the sewage works to a new site north of the A14, which they claim will be environmentally friendly and meet the needs of the growing population.
The government has even set aside £277 million for this project, with the total cost expected to hit around £400 million.
However, not everyone is on board. Some residents are upset about using green belt land for the new sewage works, especially since Anglian Water has said there’s no real need to move it.
Originally, a decision was supposed to be made last October, but it’s been delayed multiple times, with the latest deadline set for April 14. It seems like this issue is going to be hanging around for a while.
