Huntingdon’s new housing plans move forward, raising concerns over sewage capacity and flooding risks
Huntingdon: So, there’s some buzz about new homes being built on the town’s edge. Even though Anglian Water says the sewage system can’t handle it, the council gave the green light. They want to build around 30 homes on some paddock land off Main Street in Hartford. The developer promises that 40% of these homes will be affordable.
Now, before they can start building, they need to submit more detailed plans. The council already approved some drainage improvements for the site. They’re raising the ground level to reduce flooding risks, which is a smart move.
Anglian Water isn’t thrilled, though. They argue that the local water recycling center can’t handle the extra sewage. They suggested the council should refuse the plans to avoid environmental issues. But the council thinks this is more of a business problem for Anglian Water to sort out.
Some folks from the town council are worried about flooding and traffic. One councillor pointed out that the area is prone to flooding, especially with climate change. He’s not convinced it’s a good idea to build there.
The developer’s rep mentioned that a safety audit was done, and the highways authority is on board. They’ve got a plan for drainage maintenance, which will cost future residents about £300 a year. They also took climate change into account in their flood risk assessment.
Some councillors had their doubts but acknowledged the safety audit. They’re hopeful that as the plans develop, they’ll be easier to approve. It’s a mixed bag of opinions, but the project is moving forward for now.
