Controversial Coley Farm Homes Plan Sparks Outcry

Planners have approved six extra homes on top of the 72 planned at Coley Farm off Stoney Lane near Newbury, after the pumping station was cut to make room. Locals say it risks sewage problems.

"I am at a loss as to why there is no information on this application about how the removal of the pumping station from the proposal could impact the surrounding area," said a Cold Ash flood warden.

"Removing the pumping station means the discharge from the whole site is changed.

"So, we are not just dealing with three or six houses but the total combined site of 78 houses.

"The Coley Farm site was given approval for 72 houses, with a pumping station to move the foul sewage to be discharged at a set point.

"Removal of the pumping station means the foul sewer discharge point is changed.

"This application, as far as I can see, doesn't give the information needed to cover these matters.

"For the last six months in the surrounding district West Berks Council and Thames Water have had a nightmare, dealing with sewage outflows.

"The brunt of foul sewer contamination has blighted the lives and health of hundreds of residents and it is continuing to cause substantial environmental damage.

"Who will pay if this site's long term foul sewer flows impact negatively on the surrounding area?"

Dan Wilson, CALA's planning manager, said: "The foul drainage will be adopted by either Thames Water or a NAV (new appointments and variations) who are limited companies registered by Ofwat to adopt and maintain water mains and sewers.

"The drainage layout has technical approval from Thames Water.

"The site is being drained via a gravity system that discharges through third party land into Laud Close where we connect into an existing Thames Water foul sewer."

Around 10 people wrote to the council to object. "This should not set a precedent for future developments to add additional dwellings to the already agreed number of houses," wrote Helen Mortimer.

"We agree with the other objectors' comments regarding the amount of additional vehicles using Stoney Lane and Manor Park as a cut-through.

"Furthermore, the removal of the pumping station is in the new application as 'surplus to requirements'.

"There are no further comments stating why this is no longer required and the use of this area for extra housing.

"What will now happen to the sewage?"

Newbury Town Council also objected to the scheme.

Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter