UK Government Approves £400m Cambridge Sewage Plant Relocation

The UK government has granted development consent for Anglian Water to relocate Cambridge's sewage treatment plant, enabling a significant regeneration project that will include up to 8,000 new homes and commercial buildings in North East Cambridge. Despite objections regarding the use of green belt land and recommendations against the project from the examining authority, Environment Secretary Steve Reed justified the decision, stating it would unlock long-held ambitions for redevelopment. The new plant will be built at Honey Hill, with an estimated cost of £400 million, supported by £277 million from the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund. The project aims to achieve a 70% reduction in construction carbon emissions compared to 2010 levels using sustainable techniques. Anglian Water's plans involve a collaboration with several firms under the @one Alliance framework. The development is seen as vital for addressing housing needs while also modernizing wastewater infrastructure.