Council 'takes steps' over sewage network issues

An authority says it has taken steps to "tackle long-standing pressures" on its sewage network by making sure new developments have the right infrastructure in place.

West Oxfordshire District Council is arranging for so-called Grampian conditions to be applied, meaning new homes cannot be lived in until "vital" upgrades are completed.

Hugo Ashton, executive member for planning, said it was "not about blocking housing" but making sure the properties were "liveable, sustainable, and properly connected".

A Thames Water spokesperson said the company was "continuing to work proactively" with the council.

Grampian conditions require work, such as new infrastructure, to be undertaken on land that is not controlled by a planning applicant or developer.

The council said it was making the arrangements "in response to serious capacity issues and rising concerns about sewage pollution".

Lidia Arciszewska, executive member for environment, said: "Our sewage network is under serious strain.

"Across West Oxfordshire, we have 20 sewage treatment works, and most of them are already operating beyond capacity, releasing raw sewage from their storm overflow tanks for thousands of hours each year, as well as untreated effluent during dry weather conditions, thus polluting our rivers and streams."

She said many pumping stations were overloaded, with leaking pipes leading to "notorious sewage spills into people's gardens, streets, communal spaces and fields and backing up residents' toilets in many areas".

She added: "That is unacceptable. By introducing Grampian conditions, we're putting pressure on Thames Water to act to ensure failing systems are invested in, so that they can supply our residents with the necessary infrastructure."

Mr Ashton said: "Communities rightly expect that new homes will come with proper sewage provision, and we agree."

He said the housing delays were caused by "decades of underinvestment in wastewater infrastructure, an issue now holding back growth not just in West Oxfordshire, but across the country".

There are about 1,000 homes in West Oxfordshire with planning permission, or that are under construction, that cannot be occupied until the improvements have been secured.

The council said it was also working with national regulators Ofwat and the Environment Agency on the issue.

It is looking to build 18,000 new homes by 2043 to meet government housing targets.

Thames Water said it was delivering "record levels of investment" as part of the biggest upgrade to its network in 150 years.

"This investment includes our sites in Witney and Chipping Norton as well as other sewage treatment works across Oxfordshire," it said.

"We're not statutory consultees for individual planning applications but when consulted we will assess the potential impact that new developments could have on water and or wastewater services."

It said it looked at each development "on a case-by-case basis" and where needed would request Grampian conditions "to ensure we can supply new developments with the water that they require and also prevent developments from increasing flood risk or contributing to unacceptable levels of water pollution".

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