Sewerage network inadequate for proposed development!

The full news story can be found here: WestOxfordshire sewage works' under-capacity 'hidden' at plan appeal | Oxford Mail

See our summary of this news article below:

Recently, West Oxfordshire District Council refused planning permission for a proposed 160-unitretirement village in Freeland. At the subsequent appeal mounted by the developers, Windrush Against Sewage Pollution and a member of the ECP gave evidence for this refusal which was centered on two keys facts; firstly that the local Thames Water sewerage network in inadequate for the increased loading of sewage from the proposed development; and secondly that the receiving sewage treatment works at Church Hanborough, oxon is operating outside of its statutory permit limits conditions, which is illegal.

“Downstream of Church Hanborough sewage treatment works [E.coli] was consistently 50 times the level safe for bathing”. -

Thames Water has confirmed to West Oxfordshire District Council that Church Hanborough Sewage Treatment Works (STW) is only treating 88 per cent of the required 'flow to full treatment', hence the illegalities.  At the appeal, WASP/ECP made representations to the inspector that she imposes a planning condition preventing occupancy of the development prior to the necessary upgrade of Church Hanborough STW. The inspector will report in the New Year.  At present Thames Water has not confirmed any plans of the upgrade of Church Hanborough STW which continues to operate illegally and is, we believe under investigation by the Environment Agency. If planning was granted this would cause further damaging sewage pollution to the Evenlode Catchment which is already in a chronic, failing state due to extensive sewage pollution and historic physical modifications to the river. It could also prejudice the granting of bathing water status at the downstream Wolvercote reach of the river Thames.

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