Following a second public consultation, Anglian Water has shared the next stage in the proposals for the modern, low carbon waste water treatment facility which will serve Greater Cambridge.
During Summer 2021, the water company asked the community and wider stakeholders for their views on the initial look and feel of the new facility. The feedback, together with ongoing technical surveys and assessments, is helping to further develop design proposals ahead of the next phase of consultation in early 2022.
Anglian Water received more than 350 feedback forms and over 650 comments on their digital engagement platform during the second phase of consultation.
Karen Barclay, Head of the public consultation for Anglian Water said:
“All of the feedback we’ve received is incredibly valued. We have been carefully considering all of the comments alongside continuing our feasibility studies, surveys and ongoing technical assessments to help us develop more detailed design proposals.”
The feedback received indicated a preference for a more natural design to help the new site blend into the surrounding landscape. Anglian Water plans to achieve this by installing a more natural screening on top of the organic, earthwork bank designed to conceal the facility, alongside a sky-like architectural finish on the taller elements of the plant.
Karen Barclay continued:
“We have carefully considered the landscape and engineering design for the new facility following the feedback from the community and stakeholders, who were understandably concerned about the visibility of the taller elements of the facility against the horizon. As well as developing the design to have a less intrusive impact on the landscape, we have committed to reduce the heights of the taller elements by six metres, compared to the heights outlined in the initial plans.”
The consultation also highlighted that the community feels strongly about how the site will be accessed from the road network.
Detailed assessments by Anglian Water found that the option to utilise junction 34 (option 1 in the consultation documents) is better than alternative options including the creation of a new junction off the A14.
Alongside the formal responses received during Anglian Water’s phase two consultation the water company also held collaborative meetings with both community and technical stakeholders to develop their proposals on landscape and connectivity to the local environment to support the evolving designs. This has included ongoing engagement with Natural England, the National Trust, The Wildlife Trust, and Cambridge Past, Present and Future amongst others.
The company is undertaking a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the relocation project, to further inform the developing design. Preliminary findings will be presented in the next phase of consultation which will take place in Spring 2022. Alongside providing an update on the findings from the environmental studies, Anglian Water will be asking for further feedback on the developed design for the facility.
A final application to the Planning Inspectorate for a Development Consent Order (DCO) will then be submitted towards the end of 2022.
Click here to read the consultation phase 2 summary report
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