Anglian Water commissioned us to prepare a masterplan for the relocation of the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant to a green field site adjacent to the A14 in North Cambridge. The plant will occupy a 22 hectare site set within a 90 hectare newly planted sculptural landscape of trees, hedgerows and re-wilded fields. The landscape will provide enhanced recreational opportunities and new connections, whilst also shielding all but the tallest structures from sensitive views.
We have been integral to the site selection process and have developed a sustainable and bio-diverse masterplan, which we guided through extensive and complex consultation with the public and scores of interest groups, as well as local and national design panel reviews. Government approval was granted in April 2025 and construction is due to commence in 2027.
A fly-through by iCreate for Anglian Water can be viewed here – Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant
An undulating landscape of radial and linear ridges create diverse habitats and promotes bio-diversity
Anglian Water’s vision is to build a new facility that will better serve the community and environment for years to come.
The chosen site, an area north of the A14 between Fen Ditton and Horningsea, was found to perform best across a range of key assessment criteria in comparison to the other two sites. The site also presents great opportunities to protect and enhance the surrounding environment, deliver improved habitats for wildlife and create increased access and connectivity so that people can enjoy the Greater Cambridge countryside.
The masterplan includes publicly accessible pedestrian, cycle and equestrian links to the surrounding countryside and uses the material excavated through tunnelling to create a sculptural and richly planted landscape.
The treatment plant, as well as being operationally net zero carbon, will be energy neutral. It is designed to adapt to changing social and environmental priorities, increasing resilience to storm flows and flooding and provide a long-term solution to how we best treat waste water for a growing Greater Cambridge population.
The administrative building sits at the gateway to the plant
Images of the proposed welcome building by icreate
The Gateway building will provide administrative and welfare facilities and is integrated into the landscape
Earlier options for a circular walk across the top of the earth bank
Early concept sketch of circular earthwork and physical screen
