Category Archives: News

13th September 2022: Debbie writes..

As LEGG was set up specifically to explore the issues around Longstanton’s groundwater loss, and to fight for acknowledgement and remediation, we inevitably bring you quite a lot of ‘downside’ news. But good stuff does happen along the way. For example, we recently told you about the concern being shown about the groundwater issues by Swavesey Parish Council and Internal Drainage board and by Cottenham Parish Council, underlining the fact that an encouraging local consensus is emerging.

Along the same lines, we’re delighted to hear that an inter-parish hydrology working group has been set up to facilitate communication and co-operation between local parish councils, and that they have already had their first meeting. It can only be good news if the voices of all our local parishes join to insist on action.

Attention is also well worth drawing to the fact that Northstowe Town Council have their own hydrology group. Our Northstowe neighbours are actively investigating possible interactions between the new town’s drainage system and the gravel aquifer, with the aim of helping us find out where the groundwater is going. Special mention should go to the personal efforts of Deputy Mayor Paul Littlemore. Thank you Northstowe!

11th September 2022

Many of the ponds and wells that have suffered as a result of dewatering are tucked away in residential streets or private fields where they are not immediately obvious to the passer-by.

Our interactive map of the sites affected will help you locate them and demonstrates how they are linked to the presence of the underlying aquifer.

Check out our interactive map of dewatering.

27th August 2022

In an earlier post we published questions put to SCDC cabinet by Hilary Stroude and Council Leader Bridget Smith’s response. Feeling these answers to be inadequate in many respects, Hilary subsequently sent a list of comments and follow-up questions to Ms Smith. A few words have been edited to suit the formatting of the online version.

To date, no response has been received to these additional questions. Continue reading →

25th August 2022

Cottenham Parish Council have joined their colleagues in Swavesey in expressing disapproval of a planning application relating to the Northstowe development. This time, it is the drainage proposals for Phase 2 that have come under fire. On SCDC’s planning website, Cottenham PC make the following statement:

“CPC recommends refusal of this application in the strongest possible terms. The EA (note: Environment Agency) have already admitted that Cottenham Lode isn’t fit for purpose. Capacity is limited and, as demonstrated in recent years, the Lode is prone to overtopping at Rampton and Cottenham during heavy rains. Additional run-off into Beck Brook and the Lode from Northstowe would therefore have disastrous effects for both Cottenham and Rampton. Furthermore the pumping stations, particularly at Smithy Fen and the wider Old West IDB area, require upgrading to manage the existing water. It was evident during the Christmas 2020 flood that the pumping stations were unable to cope.”

A number of other objections, by Longstanton residents, have also been made on the SCDC website. You can view all the comments by visiting the link below. If you are dissatisfied with the plans published by the District Council, you too can have your say by visiting the link below and adding your own comment in the ‘Public Comments’ section. One warning: you can only comment if you register on the site first.

Visit the SCDC planning applications website.

24th August 2022

In a strongly-worded letter to SCDC leader Bridget Smith yesterday, Swavesey Parish Council and Internal Drainage Board expressed “serious unresolved concerns about the environmental impacts” of the Northstowe Phase 3A and 3B development plans.

Specifically, the council accused the local planning authority of failing “to adequately consider the cumulative environmental effects of the development and interactions with other nearby development in relation to the impacts on the hydrology and water quality of local watercourses, waterbodies, and aquifers” and “to ensure adequate assessment and mitigation of the cumulative impacts of the development are delivered through the planning process.”

The council’s letter continues by expressing support for the judicial review currently underway against South Cambridgeshire District Council concerning the Northstowe Phase 3A planning decision. The most appropriate course of action, they suggest, would be for the decision to be quashed and subsequently reconsidered ‘properly’ by the local planning authority.

Read the full text of Swavesey PC’s letter.

19th August 2022

Taking advantage of today’s fresher air, I took a stroll past the Kingfisher Pond. As usual I leaned over the railing to see what remained of our favourite local water feature. I’m sure you can guess – the hot weather had finished off the last of the remaining water, leaving only reeds and mud – and not much of that. Continue reading →

18th August 2022

We’re so pleased you’re getting involved with the campaign to save Longstanton’s precious water resources.

We’re starting an email newsletter to help keep you informed about the latest events. If you would like to subscribe, please visit our sign-up page. We’ll ask only for your name and email address and we absolutely guarantee never to send you publicity material or share your address with any other organisation. You can, of course opt out at any time.

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29th July 2022

Hilary Stroude has released the response she received from SCDC leader Bridget Smith, following on from the questions she put to the council on 11th July. See earlier post.

Here is the letter Hilary received.