New fears over Long Mynd water pollution if homes plan goes ahead

The government authority has renewed its objection to the development at playing fields next to Church Stretton School on Shrewsbury Road.

It comes despite a report by developer Enzo Homes outlining a range of steps it will take to ensure there is "negligible" risk to natural water collected from bore holes nearby.

The site is close to a source of natural water at the base of the Long Mynd that has been used for bottling for 130 years, most recently by Princes food and drink group which has formally objected to the plans.

Now, Graeme Irwin, senior planning advisor with the Environment Agency, has outlined in a six-page letter a long list of reasons why the authority feels the risks "have not yet been fully assessed".

The development is key to plans for new sports facilities for Church Stretton School and the wider community going ahead, as the sale of current school playing fields for homes would fund relocated pitches, hard surfaces and a children's play area.

But, Mr Irwin said: "Having reviewed the 'hydrogeological risk assessment' prepared by WYG on behalf of Enzo Homes, we are unable to remove our objection."

He said there were "multiple risks" of pollution associated with building the homes, but also "the report implies that the majority of the groundwater related risk is associated with the proposed residential development".

He added: "However, the development plan includes other uses such as the bus parking, overflow parking, playing fields which also have specific associated risks. It is essential that these are also considered."

He said once built it would be difficult to ensure that individual householders living in the homes would "adhere to good practice" to make sure there was no risk of pollution to water in the area, with the use of "salts and herbicides" a particular concern.

"This could pose an ongoing risk to the groundwater environment," he said, adding: "The long term integrity of sewage infrastructure needs to be considered. Such networks are known to degrade with time."

He said surface water drainage needed "further detailed assessment".

"It is noted that the soakaway for the housing development is to be moved into the eastern part of the site which is welcomed. However I am not clear as to how the drainage on the rest of the site will be dealt with," he said.

Overall the fact that the area was used for bottling water meant stricter regulations.

"Sources designated under the natural mineral water regulations must retain their characteristic mineral composition and demonstratestability," he said.

"The proposals and associated risks must therefore be assessed in this context, in addition to the requirement to protect the wider groundwater environment."