On Radio 4 talking about Cambs water crisis

Interviewed by Tom Heap for a Radio 4 documentary on the crisis facing our rivers and chalk streams, especially in Cambridgeshire, Pippa explained how the new water study commissioned by the District Council is a game-changer.

It concludes that new houses the Council is required to build by government would put too much pressure on the groundwater aquifer. We cannot take more water from the groundwater aquifer without environmental damage.

The planning officers, in the drafting of the new Local Development Plan, have stated that the Council cannot build all the planned homes unless the water crisis is solved. Therefore, central government must invest now and work with the water companies to provide both a sustainable water supply and natural ways to restore our chalk streams.

This is the first time that a Planning Authority has used evidence of a water shortage in this way to strike a real balance between housebuilding and water conservation, as far as we know. This Radio 4 documentary has helped raise awareness and Pippa has received many email requests from people to get a copy of the water study.

All in all, Tom and Pippa walked and talked for about 40 minutes along the banks of the river Cam before Tom got back in his canoe and paddled into Cambridge where he met other local people to interview. He also interviewed Stephen Tomkins of Cam Valley Forum and Terry Macalister, journalist and campaigner.