Anger over plans to pump waste water into brook

3 hours ago

Lindsey AlderIn Whitnash

News image — Whitnash Brook flows through the nature reserve, before later joining the River Leam

BBC A stream, bubbling over stones, surrounded by a number of trees. Some are growing out of the water. — Whitnash Brook flows through the nature reserve, before later joining the River Leam

Plans to pump waste water into a stream in Warwickshire, just feet before it enters a nature reserve, have provoked anger from residents, as well as politicians and the wildlife trust.

Bellway Homes is building 185 houses in Whitnash, next to Whitnash Brook and has applied to the Environment Agency (EA) to pump up to 2,462 cubic metres of rainwater run-off daily - almost enough to fill an Olympic swimming pool - from the site into the stream.

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust said it was extremely concerned and had asked the EA to consider the impact on the sensitive ecosystem of the reserve and the wider wildlife corridor.

Bellway said it was "committed to ensuring no risk" was posed to the area.

In its application, the firm said the discharge into the brook could continue until the end of 2029, although the volume would be dependent on the level of rainfall.

A consultation on the proposals closes on Thursday, but Warwick district councillor Becky Davidson said some residents had approached her saying they had been unaware of the plans.

Jane (left) and Peter Middleton - Jane is wearing a light coloured fleece with the strap of a bag over her shoulder. Peter is in a light blue, short-sleeved shirt. behind them are bushes — Jane and Peter Middleton said they were concerned about the effect on the local ecosystem

Fellow Green party councillor Will Roberts, who represents Leamington Willes on Warwickshire County Council, said he was worried about what would happen in extreme weather, like the rainfall at the start of the year.

"It's a huge concern. The site is sloping down to the brook, so a heavy amount of rain could certainly lead to a lot of pollutants coming into the brook," he said.

Peter and Jane Middleton, who were at the nature reserve, said they were concerned about the effect the pumping would have on the ecosystem.

Fellow local resident Linda said: " I think it is wrong, it really is dreadful. They should not be doing it.

"We have got a load of wildlife here.”

A shaven-headed man stands to the left of the picture in a purple shirt and black rain jacket. He holds a black guard rail with his left hand, next to a blonde woman in a blue checked blouse. Behind them is a stream with trees growing throughout. — Local Councillors Will Roberts and Becky Davidson have opposed the permit application

Matt Western, Labour MP for Warwick and Leamington said: "The impact that such discharge into our local river system would have is deeply alarming and residents have every right to firmly object to these plans."

In a response to the BBC, Bellway Homes said: "Protecting Whitnash Brook and the surrounding nature reserve is a top priority for us, and we are committed to ensuring no risk is posed to these areas.

"The application is for "rainwater runoff from the construction site, which may contain natural silt and soil particles.

"Bellway remains committed to working collaboratively with the Environment Agency and local stakeholders to address concerns and uphold environmental standards."

In its application to the EA, it said "the ground investigation at the site identified no evidence of contamination and no elevated concentrations of mobile contaminants, presenting a risk to the groundwater, adjacent surface waters or the surrounding environment".

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