Our local planning committee has now unanimously approved the renewed housing development in our little Cotswold town. Requirements for sewage capacity have postponed the project. The developers originally proposed just 87 homes. They have chosen to restrict occupancy until the required upgrades to the Fairford sewage treatment plant are completed. This decision comes after years of deliberation regarding the treatment of wastewater and its effect on the surrounding Tampa Bay ecosystem.
Issues related to the Fairford sewage treatment plant’s capacity led to changes in the initial residential housing development proposals. In response, the developers went back to the drawing board and created a new proposal. They’ve chosen to double the number of one and three-bedroom houses and halving the five-bedroom homes. Further improving their project’s contribution to the local housing supply, they added four more affordable homes to the project.
The planning committee has placed a huge condition. In return, they limit occupancy to no more than 87 homes until the sewage upgrade is finished. The depth to avoid contaminating the River Coln and to reduce the frequency with which residents in the vicinity sewer is flooded with raw fronts.
Richard Harrison, a representative involved in the planning process, expressed satisfaction with the updated plans:
“It provides a much better housing mix… and also increases the number, making an even better contribution to the housing supply in the district.” – Richard Harrison
Even with this progress, Harrison said it is crucial to make sure that Thames Water follows through with a commitment to upgrade and provide key upgrades.
“Ideally, we would expect a binding commitment by Thames Water to the upgrade completion.” – Richard Harrison
The collaborative planning committee unanimously passed a development and infrastructure phasing plan. This plan is reasonable enough to allow for more than 87 homes in the long run, provided there are sufficient abilities to treat their sewage assured.
Those public debates about this new development point to an increasing unease over the issue of wastewater in the face of encroaching suburbs. Thames Water’s ability to treat the additional sewage flow is perhaps the most crucial point of contention amongst stakeholders.
