Greater Cambridge Local Plan Preferred Options

The Wilbraham River Protection Society supports the proposals to revitalise the chalk stream network and the enhancement of the Eastern Fens in which the Wilbraham River and its tributaries arising in Fulbourn fall. We are, disappointed, however, that the opportunity to encourage the enhancement of the Wilbraham River system does not seem to be taken in the First Proposals as this would clearly help in the enhancement of the Eastern Fens as well as revitalising the chalk streams. (The River is not marked up on Fig. 5.1) We believe the assessment in the Greater Cambridge Chalk Streams Project downplays the role that could be played by this river through emphasising the ' land drainage' element in the low lying fen edge situation. The final comment in that Report that 'if reliable flows were re-instated this river would have multiple opportunities' indicates possibilities that could be taken up should adequate and continuous flows become available. While the Granta/Lodes Augmentation Scheme provides a degree of sustainability, outside drought conditions, we believe water abstraction from the Fleam Dyke Pumping Station and other boreholes has a profound effect on the springs in both Wilbraham and Fulbourn parishes that historically would have run sufficiently to power water mills in both parishes. Enhancing the river flows would, we believe, have a significant effect in increasing biodiversity along the river corridor and its tributaries and play a key role in enhancing the Eastern Fens.