This is one a a series of articles published in Longstanton Life between February 2016 and the present, showing just how often dire warnings were issued about the destruction of Longstanton’s groundwater, and just how often they were ignored by those whose duty it was to take timely action.
Tony Cowley wrote:
The large photograph on the right was taken by a licensed drone on 30 November 2018 and shows: The Kingfisher Pond has only partially recovered since 26 December 2017. Approximately 2/3 of the original surface area shows exposed sedge.- The closeness of new housing development is in total disregard of the promise to respect the environment for wildlife, that was given in the outline planning application made by Gallagher. This action will degrade the Kingfisher Pond into a water feature for the neighbouring estate and no doubt will be used as a selling point to increase the sale price!
However, we understand that SCDC have taken steps to increase the local water run-off in the KP by installing a pipe that will divert surface water from the Western Park sports pitch into the pond. This should be of some help in providing necessary oxygenated fresh water, so vital for the good health of the fish and plant life. However, it is still the water table that will ultimately decide whether Kingfisher Pond returns to its 2012 levels in order that regeneration can begin.