A high-profile campaign opposing the relocation of Cambridge’s main sewage treatment works has drawn to a close, with campaigners dropping their planned judicial review. The Save Honey Hill group had sought to overturn the government’s approval of a new facility near Horningsea, but has now confirmed it will no longer pursue legal action.
Anglian Water was granted permission to build the new plant on green belt land at Honey Hill, to replace its existing site near Milton. The relocation paves the way for the redevelopment of the current site, part of the North East Cambridge development, which includes plans for around 8,000 new homes and commercial buildings.
Despite a recommendation by the examining authority to withhold consent, the government approved the £400 million project last month. Save Honey Hill sent a pre-action letter challenging the decision, but the group’s legal team ultimately concluded that continuing would likely be costly and result in “a negligible outcome”.
A spokesperson for the group stated that their King’s Counsel believed the government had anticipated the grounds of any potential challenge and had worded the decision letter carefully to reduce legal risk. As a result, the campaigners felt that proceeding with a judicial review would not be in the public’s best interest.
Focus Shifts to Mitigation and Engagement
While the legal route is no longer being pursued, Save Honey Hill vowed to remain active in discussions with Anglian Water, parish councils, and other stakeholders. The group said it would now focus on ensuring that “mitigating the detrimental effects of this project on our communities is at the forefront” of future planning.
The government has pledged £277 million towards the construction of the new treatment plant. Work is expected to continue as plans for the broader housing-led transformation of North East Cambridge advance.
Residents near Horningsea remain concerned about the environmental impact of building on green belt land, but with the legal battle over, attention is now turning to how the community can influence the next steps.
