Comment

Representation ID: 55852

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Veolia and Turnstone Estates

Agent: Carter Jonas

It is proposed in Policy 26 that the existing waste recycling transfer facility off Cowley Road would
be relocated off site, but at this stage no suitable and viable alternative relocation site is
identified. Veolia intends to remain operating the waste recycling transfer facility until a suitable
and viable alterative relocation site has been identified and approved. It is anticipated in the North
East Cambridge AAP that the land currently occupied by Veolia would be redeveloped for
business (B1) and housing uses; the retention of the existing waste recycling transfer facility at
the existing site is not an option.
Criteria (b) of Policy 24b requires engagement with affected occupiers and tenants where
relocation of existing businesses is proposed as part of development at North East Cambridge.
Veolia would be affected by the redevelopment of its existing site, and would welcome
discussions with the Council to find a suitable alternative site from which it can operate a waste
recycling transfer facility. It is disappointing that, given Veolia is a key relocation site (albeit small
scale), that they have not been invited to participate in the masterplanning workshops for the
wider AAP area that have taken place to date. This engagement with existing land owners and
users is an important part of the process and is identified within the Sustainability Appraisal.
Given the failure to engage on this site, the legitimacy of the outcomes from these workshops
could be challenged. Criteria (c) of Policy 24b sets out a sequential approach to the re-provision
of existing uses. Veolia is an existing established business, and a replacement facility should be
located within or close to Cambridge in order to avoid the unnecessary transportation of recycling
waste and material. As set out in the response to Policy 26, it appears that the policy
requirements for a replacement facility might be difficult to achieve on a suitable alternative site
without assistance and support from the Council to enable Veolia to relocate its existing
operations in a viable manner.