Saxon Pit risk assessment

Public Health at Cambridgeshire County Council has carried out a risk assessment following concerns raised by the community in relation to current operations on the Saxon Pit site and potential impact on health.

The council has worked closely with partners to carry out the risk assessment including UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Fenland District Council (Environmental Health) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). As regulators, the Environment Agency and Waste Planning Authority at Cambridgeshire County Council have provided data, information, and advice.

The risk assessment reviewed the available data for air, water and land emissions from the current activity at Saxon Pit, to determine whether there are any public health risks from on-site operations.

There are no identified risks to public health from:

• Water from King’s Dyke being used for livestock.
• Emissions from land (gas) from the site.
• Air quality in the location of Hallcroft Road (where monitoring data indicates air quality is good).

Further evidence would be beneficial to assess:

• Air quality at other locations near the Saxon Pit boundary.
• If there are ongoing noise or odour issues.
• Any cumulative health impacts, including on mental health.

Gathering further evidence and data will allow us to rule out any health risks in the area and we are already working closely with partners, including Fenland District Council and the Environment Agency, to investigate these potential impacts and to implement the recommendations identified by the risk assessment.

There are five recommendations from the Director of Public Health based on the findings from the risk assessment and the wider work for Saxon Pit:

1. Increase trust and collaboration between the community, operators, and regulators.
2. Public Health at Cambridgeshire County Council to work with residents on a cumulative community health impact assessment.
3. The Environment Agency (with support from Fenland District Council) to increase monitoring to ensure risks to human health from emissions to water remain low.
4. Multi-agency partners to work together to develop an air quality monitoring strategy to understand air pollution risk and the Environment Agency to ensure regular review of fust emission management plans.
5. Public Health at Cambridgeshire County Council to explore opportunities to strengthen policies and practices around waste and human health.

A report detailing the risk assessment process, findings and recommendations has been produced. You can find this report below.

A future information event is to be held for the wider community with details to be confirmed soon. Regular meetings will also be offered on an ongoing basis in line with the recommendations of the report.

Further questions can be emailed to health.protection@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. As we receive them, they will be added to this page.