YAXLEY councillors and residents have expressed concern over potential drainage and environmental problems arising from the Great Haddon development, which neighbours the village. MP Shailesh Vara has joined them to call for a review of the flow of water which it is claimed will have seriously negative consequences.
During his visit to Yaxley, accompanied by parish, district and county councillors, Shailesh saw first-hand the potential difficulties of this major development that runs from Hampton to Norman Cross in North West Cambridgeshire constituency, alongside much of the village boundary.
Previously, the water flow went to the north to Stanground. The current arrangement, approved by Peterborough City Council, means the flow is directed south, to Yaxley. Water levels in this area are managed by the Middle-Level Commissioners who have also raised concerns about the current arrangement.
The flow rate could be as high as 32.7 litres per second, which could cause serious flooding and damage to the natural environment which Yaxley Parish Council would most likely be obliged to rectify, at considerable cost. Parish council vice- chairman Andrew Wood told Shailesh: "Little consideration has been given by the developers or the city council planning department as to the impact of this housing development - together with associated highway re-routing - and with no offer of additional funding via the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
"The possibility of a significant increase in drainage demands, threatening a natural water course and its associated fauna and flora, is something that requires urgent review. I hope all those involved can work together towards a satisfactory resolution to this threat."
Shailesh has written to the leaders of Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council asking them to review earlier decisions to avoid major problems in the future. "It is clear the decision to change the flow of water has not been properly thought through; the negative consequences for Yaxley will be hugely disproportionate and very costly," he told us.
County councillor Mac McGuire had strong words for both city and county council. "The ambitions of Peterborough City Council to be a 'growth city' has resulted in Yaxley and Norman Cross being treated with contempt by the Great Haddon developers," he said after the meeting. "And unfortunately the Cambridge-centric joint administration at the county council has done little or nothing to protect the interests of our communities in the north-west of the county."
Adding his support was district and parish councillor Kev Gulson: "Without consideration to the parish council the water flow has been diverted through the parish from its original water course of Stanground Lode. This may well burden the parish council with great expense to avoid localised flooding, with no expectation of financial help through CIL funding as Yaxley is outside the city of Peterborough. This is both unreasonable and unfair on our residents."
Photo: Pictured with MP Shailesh Vara from the left, are councillors Kev Gulson, Andrew Wood, parish council clerk Helen Taylor and Mac McGuire
