Concerns are being raised of potential flooding risk and environmental damage in Yaxley, arising from the Great Haddon Development, adjoining the village which will see about 5000 homes and supproting infrastructure being built over the next few years in the region near the A15 and A1(M)

Yaxley residents are concerned about the serious impact this could pose on their village, especially leading to flooding in the area.

This comes after Peterborough City Council approved a new arrangement which means the flow of water is directed to the south in Yaxley as opposed to the previous arrangement of water flow to the north, to Stanground in Peterborough.

MP for North West Cambridgeshire, Shailesh Vara, along with Cllr Kevin Gulson, from Huntingdonshire District Council, Cllr Mac McGuire from Cambridgeshire County Council, Cllr Andrew Wood who is vice-chairman of Yaxley Parish Council, and Helen Taylor, clerk to the council visited the area and met with locals to discuss the matter.

It’s believed, the flow rate of water is as high as 32.7 litres per second, which could potentially cause serious flooding and environmental damage. 

Yaxley Parish Council would be responsible to deal with this ongoing issue at considerable expense. They have criticised Peterborough City Council for going ahead with the plan without consulting with them.

Cllr Andrew Wood added: “The possibility of a significant increase in drainage, threatening a natural watercourse and its associated fauna and flora, is something that requires urgent review.

“Little consideration has been given by the developers or Peterborough city planning as to the impact of this on our village, together with associated highway re-routing, and with no offer of additional funding via the Community Infrastructure Levy.

"I hope that we can work together towards a satisfactory resolution to this threat.”

Cllr Kevin Gulson said: “Without consideration to Yaxley Parish Council,  the water was diverted through Yaxley parish from the original water course of Stanground Lode.

“This may require great expense to the parish council to avoid localised flooding with no expectation of financial help through CIL funding as Yaxley is outside of Peterborough City.”

Following his visit, Mr Vara  has written to  the leader of Peterborough City Council, Cllr Wayne Fitzgerald, and the leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, Cllr Lucy Nethsingha urging them to reconsider their decisions.

He said: “It is clear that the decision to change the flow of water to Yaxley has not been properly thought through and the negative consequences for Yaxley will be hugely disproportionate and very costly.

“It is noteworthy that the Middle-Level Commissioners share the concerns of local residents.

“The way forward is for all the bodies concerned, especially Peterborough City Council, who gave permission for the change, to carefully review the situation and come to a more practical and sensible conclusion.”

Meanwhile Peterborough City Council say they don't agree that the current arranemebts pose a 'significant flooding risk' to the Yaxley parish.

In a statement, a spokersperson said: "We have reviewed the situation in depth following previous concerns from Yaxley Parish Council and have found that the assessments provided during the planning process were robust and in-line with standard practice.

"Therefore we have no reason to believe that the proposals represent a significant increase in flood risk to the village of Yaxley, as the flows from the development will be attenuated and controlled to the original pre-development green field run off rates.”