Here are some suggestions of what you could include in your Relevant Representation (objection). Please tell the Inspectors what really matters to you. Depending on where you live this could be any of the following:
What to include in your objection:
- Building on Green Belt is contrary to national and local planning policy. It is there to protect the setting of our historic city and prevent urban sprawl
- Impact on the Conservation areas of Fen Ditton and Horningsea
- Construction and operational traffic between Horningsea and Fen Ditton Primary School12
- Replacing a fully-functioning sewage works without good reason but with the associated carbon cost of a cement heavy construction
- Possible threat to a Principle Chalk Aquifer which according to DEFRA is at high risk of groundwater contamination (some residents of Horningsea still draw their water from wells)3
- Honey Hill should have been discounted as an option right from the start because of the Principal Chalk Aquifer which makes it unsuitable for sinking the structures necessary for infrastructure of this kind which would have been far more appropriate for a flat, fenland setting
- Loss of recreational area which is important for mental health and well-being.
- Impact on the approach to the historic city of Cambridge from the East
- Industrialisation north of the A14
- Loss of agricultural farmland which is helping to feed us in this time of food insecurity
- Impact on public rights of way and permissive ways
- Impact on Quy Fen – a Site of Special Scientific Interest
- Impact on Wicken Fen4
- Impact on the Cambridgeshire Dykes
- Construction traffic for the Waterbeach pipeline
- Effect of odour on school, residences and businesses
- Change of landscape from flat fenland to intrusive industrial buildings and bund5
- Effect on approach to listed buildings
- Effect on wildlife and biodiversity
- Lack of consideration given to keeping the plant where it is and making it state of the art and smell proof.
The above are meant merely as pointers and are by no means exhaustive. We will continue to update this list as we learn more.
Above all, it is really important to put your views across in your own words.
What NOT to include:
As always with planning matters, the inspectors will not be able to consider or be interested in the following, so best not to even mention them:
- Loss of private view
- The possible reduction in value of your house
- Who the applicant is or their background (Anglian Water)
- Other issues with the applicant (Anglian Water), e.g. state of the chalk streams, sewage leaks into the rivers/sea, etc.
- Your personal circumstances.
When you register and submit a representation, your comment will be published on the Planning Inspectorate website and you will be asked to submit your address and contact details. Your name will be published alongside your comment but no contact details will be published.
Remember, please set out your points in your own words!
You have until the 19th July!
Above all, remember that after 23:59 on the 19th July you will no longer be able to register and there will be no further opportunity.
However, if you register and submit a Relevant Representation before the 19th July, then you will be able to submit further comments at a later stage.
- “Fears new Cambridge sewage works will lead to ‘sludge lorries‘ thundering along roads” Cambridge News 11 dec 2021 [↩]
- “Alarm that ‘dangerously overloaded’ road will be used for new Anglian Water sewage works” Cambridge Independent 16 Dec 2021 [↩]
- According to DEFRA, Honey Hill is an area of high risk to groundwater contamination. It sits on a Principal Chalk Aquifer. [↩]
- National Trust Wicken Fen Vision (2009) [↩]
- Anglian Water’s Stage 3 Report, section 2.3.83 [↩]