Severn Trent bids to expand sewage works

Severn Trent Water has submitted plans for a "critical" expansion of a sewage treatment works near Evesham.

The water company said the facility at Ashton under Hill needed to be extended to cope with population growth over the next 25 years.

The proposed expansion would also aim to meet stricter environmental standards by upgrading the water treatment process at the plant, according to the plans submitted to Wychavon District Council.

"Without these upgrades, the existing sewage treatment works risks falling short of regulatory standards, potentially impacting water quality and public health," Severn Trent said.

It added that investing in the site would "future-proof the facility, ensuring long-term sustainability and reliability".

The plant is accessed via Back Lane and is surrounded by farmland.

Severn Trent plans to acquire land to the north and west of the current site for the expansion and install a 2.1m high-security fence around the entire perimeter.

The application said the development would be "considerate" to the Cotswolds National Landscape, the boundary of which is just 135 metres west of the sewage treatment works.

The site also sits within the Severn and Avon Vales National Character Area.

"Following construction, trees and hedgerow will be planted along the fencing line to ensure that the site is appropriately screened," documents lodged with the application stated.

"Species will be selected to offer year-round coverage, helping to soften the visual impact of the security fencing and the wider site."

It claims there would be a minor increase in traffic to the site during construction, but vehicle movements to and from it after the expansion "are not anticipated to be a significant increase beyond that already at the existing site".

Public consultation on the plans closes on 6 January.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.