Cambridge sewage plant objectors drop legal challenge
The Save Honey Hill group has ended its legal challenge following advice that continuing the judicial review would be 'unlikely to succeed'
Last updated 19th May 2025
A community group opposing the relocation of a sewage treatment plant to Honey Hill in Cambridge has decided to stop its legal challenge after receiving a detailed response from the Secretary of State’s legal team.
The group had sent a Pre-Action Letter to challenge the development consent granted for the project but was advised by their lawyers that continuing with a judicial review would probably not lead to a successful outcome and could result in unnecessary costs.
A spokesperson for Save Honey Hill said: “On the advice of our legal team we have today concluded that there is little point in pursuing a judicial review any further, incurring costs which might lead to a negligible outcome.”
Their legal advisers noted the Secretary of State’s decision letter appeared to have been carefully prepared to reduce the risk of the challenge succeeding. This might explain delays in the decision earlier this year.
The group added it would now focus on working with Anglian Water, local parish councils, and other stakeholders to help reduce the impact of the project on the local communities. The spokesperson said: “We will continue our duty as per our constitution to engage with Anglian Water, our Parish Councils and all other stakeholders and do our best to ensure that mitigating the detrimental effects of this project on our communities is at the forefront of their minds at all times.”
The development consent was granted in April 2025 for the construction and operation of a new integrated waste water treatment centre at Honey Hill. The project includes sludge treatment, pumping stations, transfer tunnels, vehicle access, utility connections, renewable energy generation, and landscaping.
Anglian Water submitted the application in April 2023. It was accepted for examination the following month, which included a six-month process where local people, statutory consultees, and other interested parties could submit evidence and views.
In July 2024, the Planning Inspectorate recommended refusal of the application. However, the Secretary of State later granted development consent.