Update from Saxongate Residents Group
Saxongate Residents Group attended a multi-agency meeting this week hosted by Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC), with Town, District and County Councillors and a representative of the MP also present. It was stated that the meeting had been called in part as a lack of public trust in the regulatory situation at Saxon Pit had been recognised.
Core agencies, the Environment Agency (EA), CCC, and Fenland District Council Environmental Health gave updates which included items that appear to have resulted in enforcement actions, some of which are ongoing. Notes from the meeting are due and will be shared we will publish them when available.
During the meeting we were advised that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is conducting an independent review of potential public health risks from particulate matter at the site, including IBA(A). We have asked for more information on the scope of the report and will provide updates if and when we receive more information.
UKHSA scientists are leading the work, using data from the agencies, and will report against current regulations and limits. The adequacy of those will not be examined at this stage.
The review is under way, due to run into October, with findings expected around Christmas or early in the New Year. Additional site testing has taken place; we asked for details and were told these should appear in the report. There is no public consultation element. Rest assured we will examine the findings and evidence base in detail.
It was also indicated that Johnsons Aggregates and Recycling Ltd.’s 2024 planning application to increase IBA throughput from 250,000 to 460,000 tonnes per year is unlikely to be heard this year. By comparison, the proposed Wisbech Mega Incinerator would generate about 125,000 tonnes of Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) annually.
Other issues were discussed, but we will wait for the official notes before commenting. Rest assured Saxongate continues to press agencies, councillors, and our MP on residents’ behalf, and will keep residents updated.
If you think you might be being impacted by issues from the site please contact us so we can advise the best route for reporting.
Saxongate 2025