Houghton and Wyton Parish Council

Parish Council Petition

Pause the Huntingdonshire District Council Local Plan

We are deeply concerned about the implications of the current Local Plan for Huntingdonshire, driven by a pressing need to protect our quality of life. If the plan proceeds without necessary amendments, our beloved community faces the risk of merging towns and villages into a concentrated, doughnut shaped sprawling conurbation. This not only threatens the character of Huntingdonshire but also places immense pressure on our infrastructure.

Potential Consequences of the Current Plan:
- Essential services, including roads, water, power, and sewage systems, are at risk of becoming overstretched—impacting daily life.
- Water resources could suffer, with potential rationing of less than 90 litres per day per person. Furthermore, river pollution could escalate if housing developments outpace necessary infrastructure improvements.
- The loss of prime farmland and devastating damage to Great Ouse Valley's scenic landscapes.

-Unsustainable commuting patterns to Cambridge and Bedfordshire will lead to increased congestion and pollution.
- A perception that the decision-making process lacks transparency and breadth of public engagement.

Given these serious concerns, we the undersigned petition Huntingdonshire District Council to:

1️⃣ Pause the Local Plan (Update 2046) until the boundaries of the new Unitary Authority are precisely defined and understood, ensuring decisions are made with complete context. Other Councils have already done this.

2️⃣ Challenge the Inflated Housing Target, taking inspiration from successful challenges undertaken by other councils. Reducing expected targets could limit over-development pressure on the community.

3️⃣ Rely on Real Evidence, Not Assumptions: Conduct comprehensive infrastructure studies that examine the true capabilities and limit of current systems. Secure necessary funding prior to committing to large scale developments.

Our community’s future depends on careful, participatory, and evidence-based planning rather than rushed approvals. Let us safeguard Huntingdonshire’s unique character, wellbeing, and resources for current and future generations. Help us champion a local plan that reflects our shared values and needs.

We call on you to support this cause and sign our petition to ask Huntingdonshire District Council to pause the current Local Plan for the good of Huntingdonshire.

You can sign the petition by following this link: https://c.org/sjmvjxbrgv

or by scanning the QR code

Paper copies are available in the Parish Office.