Talking Sewage!

A message from the Rosemary Lane Action Group regarding planning Application by Redrow Homes for HAD007 (Ref: 21/00215/ADP)

Between 29th-31st January this year the heavy rainfall caused flooding to properties in Rosemary Lane and brought down several lengths of the heritage witchert wall that forms the northern boundary of Haddenham. The field west of Churchway, now acquired by Redrow Homes, was flooded.

As the fields flooded, residents in Stokes Lane and Churchway found that domestic water would not drain away and that they could not flush their toilets.

Thames Water confirmed that this was related to the main sewers, and that the rise in the water table prevented them solving the problem. There was raw sewage in some gardens.

On 12th February Thames Water posted a document on the portal of Planning Application 21/00215/ADP stating 'Thames Water has identified an inability of the existing FOUL WATER network infrastructure to accommodate the needs of this development proposal.'

Thames Water had published similar documents in regard to this site in 2017.

In the opinion of Rosemary Lane residents, Redrow have presented scant, inadequately detailed plans. It is doubtful that they acknowledge the rise in the water table. Wet weather episodes are becoming more frequent and more extreme.

Redrow propose to site a sewage pumping station against the first long witchert wall as the village is approached from the A418. A charming first impression of our village!

The fragile, already overloaded sewage system will be unable to cope with the extra effluent and waste water from 273 houses, 546 toilets (at least), 273 washing machines and 273 dishwashers.

This is the highest point in the village and the sewage will gravitate downwards. Where will all the extra go?

ACT NOW. You can still comment on Buckingshire Council Planning Portal. To do so, click here and search on this reference number: 21/00215/ADP

Rosemary Lane Action Group