Whitchurch's sewage system could 'overload' if new homes approved, water company says

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water has raised fears that plans to build another 39 homes on land off Tarporley Road in Whitchurch would "overload the existing public sewerage system".

The area has become a hotspot for new homes after developers were granted permission last year to build 100 houses.

But bosses at the water company have said that to prevent any overloading of the sewerage system they would object to the fresh plans to "protect the health and safety of existing residents".

They say no improvements to the system are planned – making any development "premature".

To overcome the objection, Welsh Water has said developers would need to carry out an assessment and it might be possible for them to help pay for accelerated provision of improved infrastructure .

When previous applications to build in the area were submitted, the water company put forward similar concerns and gave suggested conditions that could help sort any potential issues.

And when the council agreed to give the go ahead for the plans, conditions were imposed to make sure that no home would be moved into before a detailed scheme showing how sewage would be disposed was agreed with the council.

But the most recent plans, put forward by Muller Strategic Projects Limited, have sparked a storm of opposition from residents who say the development could cause more problems on top of sewage issues.

Whitchurch Town Council has objected to the plans saying it would be "detrimental to the environment" as it would be on green open space and cause it to be overdeveloped.

One resident, Ciaran Dunne said: "The residents of the Tarporley Road have already had to adjust to the fact that there will be an increase of cars and people as the result of another estate with over 100 houses that has already been given the go ahead.

"Now we have the prospect of this being increased even further with this application.

"The utilities are unable to cope with the present amount of properties in Tarporley Road resulting in roads being dug up on numerous occasions to sticky plaster the problems.

"Now we are being expected to believe that the existing infrastructure will be able to cope with a further two estates in addition to the one that has already been passed."

Samera Chiad, of Church Meadows, said: "Our home, and those of our neighbours, is accessed via a drive running more or less parallel to the drainage ditch on the north east edge of the Rectory Fields.

"The water level is very high and when there is heavy rainfall the lower lawns and gardens become completely saturated and the drive floods at its lowest point. This has happened several times in the last few years.

"Our concern is that building upon the fields, which have a gradual slope towards the aforementioned ditch, will add extra stress to an already stressed system."

Developers say the scheme could help meet the needs of Shropshire's housing requirements and that there would be no adverse environmental impacts.

The application is available to view on Shropshire Council's website.