Comment

Draft North East Cambridge Area Action Plan

Representation ID: 55954

Received: 05/10/2020

Respondent: Natural England

Representation Summary:

The Cambridge water environment is under significant pressure from the demands of the existing
population. Groundwater abstraction to supply drinking water combined with surface and
wastewater discharges are impacting on groundwater levels, river flows and water quality; this is
already having an adverse effect on the natural environment, including several statutorily
designated nature conservation sites. Given the severity of the existing situation any new
development, including through NECAAP, will need to demonstrate, as a minimum, that water
supply and surface and waste water disposal demands can be met without further detriment to
groundwater levels, river flows and water quality. As a minimum development should seek to
achieve no further deterioration, however, the aim of any further development should be to reduce
these impacts and, as far as possible, deliver improvements in groundwater levels, river flows and
water quality. Proposed development will also need to ensure and demonstrate sustainable
drainage and flood risk management. These complex issues and deliverable solutions will need to
be addressed through the Integrated Water Management Study / Water Cycle Study (IWMS /
WCS) being undertaken to inform the Greater Cambridge Local Plan.
Whilst targets and requirements outlined in policies 4a -c are welcomed these policies should be
informed by the findings and recommendations of the IWMS/WCS. Any measures to mitigate
adverse environmental impact will need to be detailed and their viability assured, through the AAP.
Their delivery will need to be secured through robust policy requirements.

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