From the Saxongate residents group. Deadline midnight Monday 26 October: Saxon Pit – Johnsons planning appeal
As many residents will know, Cambridgeshire County Council refused Johnsons Aggregates & Recycling Ltd’s (JARL) application to expand its operations at Saxon Pit Whittlesey back in March this year.
Johnsons has appealed that decision, and a public inquiry is scheduled for February 2027.
The deadline for residents to comment on the appeal is 11:59 pm on Monday 26 October.
In its appeal Statement of Case, Johnsons refers to the 68 individuals who made representations on the original planning application, alongside Saxongate and another organisation.
It is important to recognise that this figure relates to the planning application and does not represent the much larger number of environmental complaints made about Saxon Pit over the years.
CCC’s officer report records Whittlesey Town Council referring to more than 600 complaints about dust, noise and odour across Saxon Pit over two years. The recently published Cumulative Health Impact Assessment also highlights the reported cumulative impacts on residents’ lives and wellbeing.
Residents have responded to repeated planning applications, and around 50 travelled by coach to the JARL planning committee meeting. Not everyone has access to a computer or feels confident making a formal written submission. Their concerns should not carry less weight simply because they cannot navigate a complicated planning system.
We know that many residents have already spent considerable time raising concerns. Nevertheless, we would encourage everyone who can to find it in themselves to make a further representation before Monday’s deadline.
The Council refused the application on two principal grounds: noise and dust affecting the health and wellbeing of the local community, and cumulative highway impacts including capacity and related air quality.
These are particularly relevant subjects for comments. Residents can describe their own experiences of dust, noise, odour, HGV movements, traffic congestion on the A605 and nearby junctions, and effects on their health and wellbeing. Where possible, give specific examples, dates, times of day (especially early morning, evening and night) or locations, and explain how the proposed expansion, including longer operating hours, could make matters worse.
The Planning Inspectorate asks for comments to be factual, concise and relevant to the planning application. Avoid rumours, personal accusations, offensive language or allegations that cannot be substantiated.
Please be aware that your comments are not private. Your name and address may be disclosed alongside your representation. You can ask the Planning Inspectorate to withhold these details, although this may affect the weight given to your comments.
We believe this is another example of unfairness in the planning system. Residents may have to disclose their home addresses when raising legitimate concerns, while a corporate applicant can use its business address.
Saxongate is preparing a more detailed response examining the technical evidence, the planning application and the appellant’s arguments.
We appreciate this is short notice. These are complex matters and several important developments are coinciding, including the recent publication of the Cumulative Health Impact Assessment. There is a substantial amount of information to consider properly.
Johnsons’ Statement of Case can be read on the Council’s planning register under application CCC/24/091/VAR, so residents can see the arguments being advanced by the company. Accept the privacy notice, then open the Appeals tab:
https://planning.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/Planning/Display/CCC/24/091/VAR
Residents can submit their comments here:
https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6015261
The online form permits up to 8,000 characters and allows supporting documents to be attached. You must be over 18 to submit a comment.
If you have difficulty using the online form, contact the Planning Inspectorate on 0303 444 5000 for assistance (in working hours).
Please let others know and consider making your own representation. Individual experiences and factual evidence matter.
Saxongate Residents’ Group
