Campaigners voice alarm at plans for contaminated land in Cherry Hinton

A fundraiser has been launched to pay for legal action over plans for a 23-acre science district and urban country park on a former landfill site in Cambridge that residents fear could have “grave consequences” for the environment and residents’ health.

Planning permission was issued for the new innovation district around Cherry Hinton Lakes last week, following the conclusion of a legal agreement process, which the city council says ensures a range of environmental safeguards.

However, some argue that the site, off Coldhams Lane, contains old landfill waste and, as yet, there is no proof that it is safe to build on.

Residents in Cherry Hinton, Romsey and Coleridge, the wards bordering the parcels of land and the lakes involved, have formed an action group – CHARLIE (Cherry Hinton Against Reuse of Landfill In Spite of Evidence) – to challenge the decision.

The Rev Dr Karin Voth Harman, vicar of St Andrew’s Church in Cherry Hinton, and a founding member of CHARLIE, said: “Further scrutiny of this decision, which will impact the health and future of our community, is absolutely vital.

“Exposure to these toxins can cause birth defects, affect children’s development, weaken the immune system, increase cancer risk and

cause liver damage. We need thorough contamination tests first.”

Concerns had been raised about the potential health risks of building on the site, but planners said measures proposed by the developer, Mission Street, will ensure it is safe, and providing evidence is a condition of the planning permission.

Dishone Lloyd, 16, from Essex, died in August after getting into difficulty in the water at the private lakes, which are fenced off.

At the time of his death, local residents complained that their concerns about people getting onto the private land had not been heard.

Sue Wells, chair of Friends of Cherry Hinton Brook, said: “The proposed design of the ‘park’ is totally inadequate in terms of human safety and wildlife protection.

“Last summer saw a tragic drowning incident in the very deep and cold lakes.”

She pointed out the lakes are a City Wildlife Site.

Sue said: “Three types of orchids as well as nesting kingfishers and greatcrested grebes occur there. The plan for the lakes needs major revision.”

Cambridge City Council’s planning committee initially unanimously approved the application on 19 September, subject to the completion of the legal agreement, and despite concerns raised by the Environment Agency over contamination at the site.

The agreement by the developers provides a commitment to secure a range of benefits, including plans to involve local stakeholders in the development of the new urban country park’s management, and to control risks of groundwater pollution and gas migration from the former quarry pits, with expert independent oversight during construction, the council said.

The plans include 1,000,000 sq ft of office and laboratory space across nine buildings, a community pavilion and the opening up of lakes at Burnside, which are closed to the public to allow for the new country park to be created.

However, in November, the Cambridge Independent revealed the environmental health team at the council was asked by the authority’s own planning department to take “a more lenient stance on the very serious contamination issues” surrounding the former landfill site.

Emails revealed under the Freedom of Information Act show the team felt in July that it was “inappropriate” and would “lead to both the pollution of controlled waters and pose serious risks to human health”.

David McLean, a technical adviser to CHARLIE, said: “The landfill is currently encapsulated with natural clay so leakage of dangerous substances, including asbestos, chromium 6, PFAS (‘forever chemicals’), cyanide, mercury and other toxic heavy metals into the aquifer and surrounding wildlife, is currently minor. The development could undoubtedly upset this balance. Why mess with something that is relatively stable?”

Ian Ralls, of Cambridge Friends of the Earth and a member of CHARLIE, said: “This decision could have grave consequences for our environmental health: contamination of our air, soil and water endangering our entire ecosystem. We are not convinced that the proposed conditions attached to the planning permission, requiring various trials before construction starts, are suitable or will be enforced. We demand independent oversight and monitoring.”

Meanwhile, Rose Lee, a lawyer and local school governor, urged everyone to share news of the campaign and donate towards the target of £10,000: “We are not NIMBYs. We are concerned citizens demanding accountability and transparency. Please spread the word around our local communities that we only have until 14 March to investigate and challenge this decision.”

But Cllr Katie Thornburrow, Labour’s executive city councillor for planning, building control and infrastructure, said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to resolve the environmental concerns around development of this important site by working with environmental health officers and the Environment Agency and welcome the developer's commitment to involve the local community in drawing up the management plan for the area.

“I hope this reassures residents that measures to bring the benefits of a nature-rich country park to this part of the city can be achieved in a sustainable and safe way. This is particularly important following the recent tragedy in which a young person sadly lost their life in the lakes, and I extend my sympathy to all who were affected.

“When this proposal was discussed by the planning committee we noted the quality of the proposals, including the new community pavilion and café, open spaces for community events, fitness and play facilities, improvements to existing walking and cycling infrastructure, and the benefits of opening up the lakes as a new urban country park open to the public.

“In addition to the urban park, this development will directly respond to the demand for high-quality, flexible R&D space which we know is highly sought in our region and will contribute to strengthening Cambridge’s knowledge-based ecosystem.

“The legal agreement also includes commitments around training and employment during construction, and new jobs for the longer term – with a commitment for all jobs to pay at least the Real Living Wage.”

A spokesperson for Mission Street added: “We are delighted that the council has now consented our vision for District East, an urban innovation district that will combine world-class R&D facilities with public amenities to bring new life to this underutilised site. District East will be a significant contributor to the Cambridge ecosystem, whilst delivering a contemporary, inclusive and inviting district for Cambridge.”

A Greater Cambridge Shared Planning spokesperson said: “The planning permission includes a robust suite of planning conditions which compels the developer to provide additional information to substantiate, in due course, that this site can be safely redeveloped. The council has also secured developer commitments in the form of support for independent oversight of all its future field trial works to ensure effective monitoring of any environmental effects can be managed.”

The spokesperson added that additional technical and legal planning advice was provided to address the concerns raised by Environment Agency and environmental health staff.

“This updated information and advice was considered to overcome their respective concerns at this stage of the application process, and allowed planning officers to proceed to recommend approval subject to the planning conditions and Section 106 legal obligations,” the spokesperson added.

To support the campaign, visit gofundme.com/f/n3erg-charlie.