Inquiry told of drains problem

Foul sewage erupted through manholes and drains into homes in Tilstock village, a public inquiry on a planning appeal by a developer heard yesterday.Charles Church North West is appealing against a condition imposed by North Shropshire DIstrict Council on its development of 29 homes in the village.

The council gave permission but said the homes could not be occupied until the sewerage system was improved.

At the inquiry yesterday, villagers told Nigel Burrows, the planning inspector, the system was inadequate and human waste was coming out of drain covers and manholes onto the street and into homes.

Resident Rob Ellison said: "We've got one person with sewage in her bathroom and it's on someone else's patio, and this is the result of a system which has got no problems according to Severn Trent Water."

Mr Roger Lancaster, for Charles Church, said the drainage system was adequate to cope with the extra homes.

Severn Trent Water has since announced plans to spend £600,000 on sewer improvements, starting in October.

Brian Collingwood, Whitchurch Rural Parish Council chairman, said: "If the system now is OK, why are they spending this huge amount of money?"

In his closing statement, Mr Lancaster accused the council of using the condition as a way of putting pressure on Severn Trent Water to improve the system.

But Kevin Leigh, for the council, said the system clearly was not working properly.

The inquiry was adjourned and a decision is expected by mid-September.