AMBITIOUS plans to move Ely s sewage works to make way for impressive homes overlooking the river and country park has moved a step nearer following a £685,000 grant. The money will pay for a joint feasibility study with Anglian Water Authority and start

AMBITIOUS plans to move Ely's sewage works to make way for impressive homes overlooking the river and country park has moved a step nearer following a £685,000 grant.

The money will pay for a joint feasibility study with Anglian Water Authority and start a fund to pay for land to relocate the Willow Walk treatment plant.

It was awarded by Cambridgeshire Horizons' - the body tasked with implementing growth in the county - under its Housing Growth Fund.

East Cambridgeshire District Council is bidding for more cash from the fund to develop a country park between Cresswells Park and Queen Adelaide and to rekindle the project for a £27 million Southern Bypass.

Councillor Peter Moakes, chairman of strategic development at East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "This has been the best allocation for East Cambridgeshire so far from Cambridgeshire Horizons. It will enable the council to make progress with our ambitious plans for Ely and the district to deliver the Government's housing growth agenda in a sustainable way.

"The work, which is now set to begin, will support how we move forward as a district. This money will go to do all the technical and complex work which is necessary to create the sort of East Cambridgeshire we all want. It is by getting the preparatory work and detail right now that we can make sure we do not fail in the future.

"We have one chance at getting this right and we are all working to make sure we do."

John Onslow, Cambridgeshire Horizons' director for development, said: "Cambridgeshire received the highest award of all the growth areas from Government, which is a reflection of the successful joint working we have in place.

"The new funds will allow Cambridgeshire Horizons and the local authorities to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place to deliver the county's growth agenda and improve the quality of life for existing and future residents.