Yorkshire Water objects to 106-home plan over failing sewage capacity
Utility warns Catterick Garrison–Colburn sewer network can't cope with proposed housing development
Yorkshire Water has warned that the sewage system in a North Yorkshire military town would not be able to cope with a planned development of more than 100 new homes.
The utility company has submitted a formal objection to plans for 106 houses on land north of Catterick Road, between Catterick Garrison and Colburn.
The application for full planning permission has been submitted by developer Keepmoat Homes and landowner Rupert Hildyard.
All the homes would be classed as ‘affordable’ with a mix of social rent and shared ownership properties.
Supporting documents submitted with the application say: “The delivery of these affordable homes will meet an identified need at a time when there is a significant waiting list for an affordable home.
“Other moderate and minor benefits are associated with economic impacts and provision of new publicly accessible open space.”
The applicants say North Yorkshire Council currently cannot demonstrate the required level of land for housing for a five-year period.
“The benefits of contributing towards the remediation of this position, alongside contributing to the wider national objective of increasing the number of homes built, is afforded significant beneficial weight,” the documents add.
In its consultation response, Yorkshire Water confirms that a water supply can be provided to the site.
But on the issue of foul water, it adds: “The local public sewer network does not have adequate capacity available to accommodate the anticipated foul water discharge from this proposal.
“Yorkshire Water wishes to object to the development on the grounds that flood risk, pollution and public health may all be negatively impacted as a result of the development.”
The application is being dealt with at a time when plans for a further 420 homes are being drawn up on a site to the east, with both plots known as the ‘Colburn Gap’ because they provide a green space between Catterick Garrison and Colburn.
Hipswell and Colburn councillor, Kevin Foster, said Yorkshire Water’s assessment “reinforced” concerns about the area’s sewage system that had been voiced by the community for some time.
He added: “The existing drainage and wastewater infrastructure is already under significant pressure.
“The fact that they cannot cope with 106 homes, when there is another application for 420 houses, shows the scale of the issue.
“For developments of this scale, it is essential that the infrastructure is able to cope. Yorkshire Water’s objection makes it clear that the current plans do not meet that standard.”
Cllr Foster said the Yorkshire Water response, as well as local concerns about traffic congestion, and the capacity of local schools and health services, raised questions about whether the proposal was “sustainable or appropriate” in its current form.