Environment Agency objects to 4500-homes schemes in Cambridgeshire over water supply fears

The Environment Agency has objected to plans to build around 4,500 new homes in Cambridgeshire over fears that the developments will pose a risk to the area's water supply.

The regulator has lodged letters of objection against two separate developments since December 2022.

In an objection letter that was published on Greater Cambridge Shared Planning's website last week (28 June), the Environment Agency said it would continue to object to a planning application to build 3,500 homes on a disused airfield in St Neots, Cambridge "until sufficient evidence is provided that assures us deterioration of [Water Framework Direction (WFD)] waterbodies will be avoided".

The letter claimed that until a consultation has been completed on a water resources management plan by Cambridge Water Company, "there remains a great deal of uncertainty relating to water provision".

It also noted that water caps may be implemented on Cambridge Water's licenses, meaning the water firm only has the headroom up until the capped levels to support the existing population and new developments that are already being implemented (built-out and occupied).

"If they apply to delay the caps they will have to submit to us a case under Regulation 19 of the Water Environment (WFD) Regulations 2017 which will cover the question of overriding public interest," the letter said.

"We cannot prejudge what our decision would be to any requests to delay the implementation of caps. If the Regulation 19 case is successful, there will still be a risk of deterioration of WFD waterbodies, but this will be accepted in the context that the water company has done all it can to find reasonable alternatives that avoid deterioration."

However, given the duty to have regard to River Basin Management Plans, the regulator noted that even if a Regulation 19 case is successful, any water supply above the capped level risks deterioration and any "LPA must have regard to this using the powers they have to reduce the water usage of development until sustainable supplies are in place," the letter added.

The Environment Agency also objected to a 1,000-dwelling development in Impington, Cambridgeshire over water supply concerns.

Writing in February of this year, the regulator said the 1,000-home project "may, through the additional demand for potable water use, increase abstraction and risk deterioration to waterbodies in the Greater Cambridge area".

The planning application does not demonstrate that the potential impact on water resources and Water Framework Directive objectives has been assessed and appropriate mitigation considered, it added.

Its objection also cited Regulation 33 of the 2017 Regulations and added that its objection was backed up by paragraph 174 (e) of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which says that the planning system should enhance the environment by preventing development from contributing to, or being put at unacceptable risk from, water pollution.

It also drew on the South Cambridge Local Plan 2018, which specifies that all development proposals must demonstrate that there are adequate water supplies to serve the whole development or an agreement with the relevant service provider to ensure the provision of the necessary infrastructure in order to protect and enhance water quality.

Prior to this second objection, the regulator had also raised questions over an application for 425 residential units on Land North Of Cambridge North Station Milton Avenue Cambridge, mentioning that evidence indicated that groundwater abstraction to meet current needs was "already causing ecological damage to Water Framework Directive (WFD) designated waterbodies.

This included chalk streams in the area, which are internationally recognised habitats.

All three planning applications are awaiting a decision.

Greater Cambridge Shared Planning is a strategic partnership between Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District Councils.

Commenting on the objections, an Environment Agency spokesperson said: "Water is a precious resource that is under pressure across the country, and these pressures are being felt in and around Cambridge and East Anglia with increasing abstraction posing a real risk to chalk streams, river, and wetland habitats.

"The Environment Agency has a duty to protect the environment and ensure that there is enough water for people, business and the environment, and we will act where planned developments are not sustainable and risk causing harm to the environment.

The statement added: "We have objected to some proposed development applications in the Greater Cambridge Area on the basis that the water supply for these developments will pose a significant risk to our local water environment. We are continuing to liaise with the Greater Cambridge Partnership planning authority and Cambridge Water to find a solution for people and the environment."

Cllr Tumi Hawkins, South Cambridgeshire District Council's Lead Cabinet Member for Planning, said: "The Environment Agency are one of the important statutory bodies which makes comments on planning applications before a decision is made.

"As a council, we have been very concerned about water supply for this area for some time. That's why when we announced our future proposals earlier this year, we said that any plan can only be delivered by addressing the water challenges as well. Looking after the environment and ensuring people have homes for the future are both really important issues."

Adam Carey