Anglian Water has opened its third phase of public consultation for the relocation of its Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant.
This is the final phase of consultations ahead of the submission of the Development Consent Order application for the project.
This final phase will present an updated design for the new facility and surrounding area, taking on board the feedback received so far through previous public consultation, as well as from the community and technical working groups.
It will also provide a Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) which explains the steps Anglian Water is taking to minimise the impact of the project.
The relocation of the waste water treatment plant will enable South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council to fulfil their long-held ambition to develop a new low-carbon city district on Cambridge’s last major brownfield site located in North East Cambridge.
The new facility will be operationally net zero carbon and will also reduce the carbon used in construction by up to 70 per cent against a 2010 baseline by using sustainable construction techniques. It will mark a significant step forward in process efficiency and environmental performance of wastewater treatment, and the new facility will provide greater resilience and environmental protection from improved storm management.
Key elements on which feedback is requested include landscaping proposals, visitor access to the surrounding area, the impact of the environmental effects, site access and associated infrastructure and the construction programme.
In addition to the feedback received through phase two consultation, Anglian Water has also sought advice and guidance from independent specialists to inform the vision and design proposals. This includes the Design Council, an independent charity and the Government’s strategic advisor on design, and the local Cambridgeshire Quality Panel, an independent panel of built and natural environment experts.
Around the site, the water company will be creating new habitats and improved access to the Cambridgeshire countryside.
Karen Barclay, head of the Cambridge relocation public consultation for Anglian Water said: “We are grateful for all the feedback we received during our first two phases of consultation, all of which has been carefully considered as we have developed these updated proposals. Throughout this process, we’ve been listening to the community’s questions and concerns. During this phase of consultation, we would like to hear views on the steps we’re taking to avoid or reduce potential impacts from the site on the local community and wider environment. This will help to shape those areas where there is still scope to influence the project, ahead of submission of the planning application later this year.
“Looking after the wider environment and helping it to flourish is incredibly important to us. We have been working hard to increase biodiversity as part of our detailed design – this will now be a net gain of a minimum of 20 per cent on the area around the proposed location of the treatment facility. Delivered through the creation of new woodland and grassland habitats, new and replacement hedgerows, the site will complement ecological networks such as those proposed as part of the Cambridge Nature Network initiative.”
The consultation ends on 27 April, with a view to submit the proposal in the Autumn.
Image source: Anglian Water
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