The 220-acre water sports complex between Milton and Waterbeach has moved one step closer to becoming a reality after an agreement was completed by the developer, landowners and South Cambridgeshire District Council.
Planning permission for the estimated £25 million complex – which would be one of the country’s largest purpose-built sports facilities and competition venues – can now be formally issued by South Cambridgeshire District Council and developers have five years to get the project under way.
Councillors agreed to grant planning permission for the complex in 2007 subject to the developer agreement being in place.
The plans for 3.2km of quality water connected to the River Cam also include a 2km long international standard competition course that will be at least 100m wide. There would also be a triathlon facility, a 3-mile long cycle circuit, BMX track and a lake stocked with fish for angling.
The agreement requires the area to be open to the public so they will be able to enjoy the areas around the lake including 100 acres of woodland which will link into Milton Country Park.
Before the building works can begin a raft of conditions relating to drainage, flood risk assessments, impact on the River Cam and land drains – which run adjacent to the planned lake – must be addressed.
Highway improvement and traffic management conditions are included to make sure nearby residents are not adversely affected during construction or after the centre gets up and running.
The agreement also includes a requirement for a forum to be set up involving parish, district and county councillors, to make sure nearby residents have the opportunity to air any concerns during development and after the opening.
The promoters of the project have said that several million pounds of the estimated £25 million needed for the project has already been raised and fund raising is continuing. Significant funds have already been invested to get the project to this stage.
Cllr Nick Wright, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for planning and economic development, said:
The agreement is a very significant step forward in this exciting project which would have huge benefits and bring world class facilities to the area. It is important to remember that there is still a way to go before the developers could carry out any work on site as conditions are in place relating to flood risk assessments and drainage to make sure there isn’t a knock on effect for nearby villages. These must be fully addressed first.
Mick Woolhouse, executive director for Cambridge Sport Lakes Trust, who also manage the country park, said:
This is hugely exciting news and an important milestone in the development of this fantastic project. There is no doubt that achieving this agreement will stand us all in good stead in our efforts to secure the completion of these world-class facilities. The proposed facilities will have local, regional, national and internal significance and will bring both sporting and economic benefits.
