This is the website of the Longstanton Environmental and Groundwater Group.
That’s a mouthful, but what you need to know is that the group was founded to resist the ongoing loss of groundwater in Longstanton in the wake of developments in Northstowe. This issue has been widely reported in recent articles in the press, TV and, thanks to the efforts of LDHS in the person of Hilary Stroude, in the Longstanton Life Magazine.
Longstanton’s groundwater feeds local ponds and wells, and also ensures that the soil and subsoil remain in good condition. If these dry out, there can be consequences for the integrity and safety of local buildings, as well as for gardens and ponds – consequences we are already seeing in Longstanton.
The first phase of Northstowe was built on the old Longstanton golf course. Before it was a golf course, the land was agricultural. Residents with long memories will remember that the area was frequently flooded in the winter. Before construction began on Northstowe, the developers took steps to drain the land so that building could begin and new houses would not be subject to flooding. It is the ongoing effects of this process, known as ‘dewatering’ that concern this group.
 | Read the group blog, including news about the groundwater issue and other environmental matters. You are welcome to comment, but please register as a site member first. |
 | Get information about what groundwater is, why it is important, and how Longstanton's groundwater has been affected by local development. |
 | See coverage in the local and national press and on national TV. |