The revised Beehive proposals still fail local communities in two very important issues:

Scale of development

The essence of the revision is: a reduction in building numbers (12 down to 10) and a one storey (4.5m) the reduction in height of five of the blocks. Nonetheless, we note that some of the remaining blocks have larger footprints to enable some of the floorspace to be retained. We applaud the simplification and enlargement of the green space as well as the more direct cycle routes and the intensification of the community facilities. We do not appreciate the moving of the multi storey car park immediately adjacent to housing.

Whilst we recognise the work that has been put into the scheme by all concerned and we wholeheartedly commend the improvements, we remain convinced that the proposals are an over development of the Beehive site. We ask, if Beehive proposal were to be viewed for the first time, without all the scheme history that has taken place, would it still take your breath away for its sheer size. The answer is undoubtedly yes.

Sustainable Development

In terms of sustainability, the Beehive proposals miserably fails in an important issue – water. Currently the Environment Agency has an objection to the Beehive development because of water scarcity. The government has recently put forward the idea of a Water Credits System to enable the local authority to be able to give planning permission to large scale applications, including the Beehive, where developers will be allowed to buy and sell ‘water credits’ to offset the additional burden on the water supply their development will bring about.

We would agree with the Cam Valley Forum who have said they are very “concerned the water credits system will be based on ‘unsubstantiated estimated’ of future savings, which could be used to justify new developments that will increase water usage” and are also concerned “this sort of water credits offsetting scheme has not been done before, there is no evidence that it will work, and the detailed design work has not yet started,”

Through the credit system water saving devices will be installed within new development, and given free to existing domestic and public buildings. However, water usage within a building is ultimately down to an individual’s usage habits – extravagant or otherwise.

Granting planning permission for a scheme that includes yet more high water demand laboratories in the region, in additional to those already in pipeline, is highly risky to say the very least.

We are told that eventually there will be a water transfer pipeline from Grafham Water and a new Fens Reservoir. But they are not due for completion until 2032 and 2036 respectively. Even taking into consideration the time it will take to build out the first laboratories on the Beehive site, the concept remains very high risk.