Swavesey Parish Council’s “serious unresolved concerns” about Phase 3 plans

25 Aug

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.

Kingfisher Pond – what kingfisher pond?

19 Aug

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 →

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18 Aug

18th August 2022

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

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Village fury! Did Northstowe developers sell our aquifer?

1 Aug

1st August 2022

Not really our style of headline, is it? After all, we’re not the Daily Dafty. So what lies behind it?

First, the obligatory recap of things that are undeniable:

  1. Since 2015, Northstowe phase 1 has been built.
  2. Since 2015, the groundwater levels in adjacent Longstanton have fallen to the point where they have virtually dried up.
  3. Since 2015, developers at Northstowe have created two large ‘amenity’ lakes and filled them with water. (An ‘amenity’ lake is one that is created for recreational purposes or visual impact, rather that as a necessity to ensure good drainage and protect against flooding.)

Continue reading →