Sewer concerns raised over new developments
“SERIOUS concerns” have been raised about two new housing developments in Barrow-upon-Soar connecting to the village sewer system.
The Echo previously reported in April this year that those living in the area faced road closures after a sewage pipe burst twice in one week near Barrow Road, leaking sewage into nearby fields.
It is feared the Jelson Homes development, off Melton Road, and the David Wilson Homes build, on land off Nottingham Road, may cause further issues.
Severn Trent Water told the Echo it raised concerns about the developments and is planning to carry out work on the sewer system.
A spokesperson said: “We’re aware the projects have been given the goahead and we’re now in the very early stages of planning what work we may need to complete in the area to make sure the sewer network continues to work effectively for the residents of Barrow-upon-Soar.
“We’ve been in regular contact with Charnwood Borough Council, and have raised serious concerns over the plans for the two new housing developments in the Barrow-upon-Soar area.
“We can only provide advice to councils, it is for them to decide whether to approve or reject planning applications.”
Barrow-upon-Soar Parish Council clerk Lesley Bell told the Echo the council too has “real concerns”.
She said: “The sewage pipe has been there for donkey’s years, something has got to give, you can’t keep piling on more and more developments into the old system.”
The Jelson Homes development previously featured in the Echo in January after sewer works begun before the relevant conditions had been discharged.
A spokesperson for Jelson Homes has since told the Echo all conditions have now been formally discharged by Charnwood Borough Council and around 10 occupants will be moved into homes by the end of this year.
They said: “Jelson has received the necessary technical approvals from Severn Trent Water for the detailed design of the foul and surface water sewers and have their full consent to discharge into the public sewerage system.”
Commenting on the Jelson Homes development, a spokesperson from Charnwood Borough Council said: “Planning permission was granted subject to a condition controlling onsite foul drainage.
“It had been argued by some that this condition also controlled connection to the public sewer system but this is not the case. Connection to the public sewer is a matter for the developer to agree with Seven Trent.”
The spokesperson also told the Echo the condition dealing with surface water drainage for the David Wilson Homes development is currently under consideration.
They said: “The planning application went through the usual process and was determined. That process included a number of consultations with organisa- tions including Severn Trent Water and the Environment Agency and neither objected to the development, but conditions were added to deal with surface and foul water drainage.
“An application to discharge the condition dealing with surface water drainage is currently under consideration.
“Due to a change in the legislation in July this year, the control of these matters has passed from the Environment Agency to the county council and as such advice was sought from the county council on October 6, 2017. A response is awaited.”