The Environment Agency is opposing plans to build up to 1,000 new homes in the Darwin Green development, citing concerns about water supplies.
The group said it had not yet seen evidence that new homes could be sustainably supplied with water.
Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Councilors will consider plans for the next stage of the Darwin Green development on Monday (30 October).
The outline application proposes to build up to 1,000 new homes, as well as a primary and secondary school, shops and community facilities.
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Developers Barratt David Wilson Homes and the North West Cambridge Landlord Consortium have already lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate over the plans.
The appeal is based on non-determination, alleging that the planning authority failed to decide on the application in time. The application will now be decided by the Planning Inspectorate.
Councilors will consider the plans and decide what position to take on the appeal before the Joint Development Management Committee on Monday.
A report published ahead of the meeting revealed planning officers believe the application should be refused. In addition to objections from the Environment Agency, the report said the “risk of harm to the aquatic environment” and the “lack of mitigation measures” to manage water resources issues weighed “considerably in the planning balance”. He says he is attracted to them.
“This harm is believed to outweigh any other environmental, social, or economic benefits that the project would provide,” the report said.
The developer said a future planning study could test the Environment Agency’s concerns about water supply.
Developers are facing problems at the current stage of development, with 83 properties subject to demolition due to foundation defects.
