Village homes plan approved amid fears over sewage capacity

Plans for 17 homes have been given the go-ahead in a village near the M5 despite concerns over ‘sewage flowing down the streets’ and residents being unable to flush their toilets.

Cotswold Homes Ltd has been granted permission by Stroud District Council to develop the new estate which includes six affordable homes on 1.8 acres of land at Betworthy Farm, The Street, Coaley.

However the scheme was opposed by dozens of residents and the parish council amid concerns over sewage capacity in the village, flooding and the impact on local roads.

The development control committee on January 21 heard how the problem gets so bad that some residents cannot flush their toilets.
Paul Skirrow, a resident, spoke at the meeting on behalf of villagers against the scheme.

He said the proposals contravene national and district planning regulations and are outside the village’s development boundary.

And he said the foul sewage system is at capacity and raw sewage is escaping.

He said: “The objection by Coaley Parish Council reflects the adverse effects on the already stretched facilities and services within Coaley, particularly in respect to drainage, transport and local school availability.

“The combined sewer drain through the village already suffers from overflowing resulting in raw sewage escaping into the street adjacent to the school and surrounding houses.

“Is allowing more raw sewage to flow down the streets outside the primary school acceptable?”

James Durrant, an employee of Cotswold Homes spoke in favour of the proposals which he said would provide much needed affordable housing.

He said the privately run family business builds around 100 high quality homes a year in the South West.

He said: “We are very proud of the designs of this scheme which are the result of positive input from various stakeholders.

“The application proposes 17 high quality homes on the site. 35 per cent of the homes will be affordable housing.

“All our new developments, including this one, are designed with no gas. Instead hot water and heating will be supplied for all homes through air source heat pumps.

“The scheme also proposes photovoltaic panels and electric vehicle chargers for every plot.”

Councillor David Drew (L, Stroud Central) raised concerns over the sewage issues in the village.

Severn Trent told the council that there is capacity for the proposals in Coaley.

However, Cllr Drew said improvements are needed to address the overflowing sewage issue.

Councillor Mark Ryder (C, Hardwicke) said: “If Severn Trent are prepared to take a risk on the impacts of this development and say that’s all OK and the lead flood authority, then what can we do as a planning authority to go against that advice?

“I have doubts over that but that is not a reason to refuse this application.”

Cllr Ryder also raised serious doubts over where children living in the new homes would go to school.

And Cllr Demelza Turner-Wilkes (C, Hardwicke) raised concerns over small developments coming forward across the district without thought of where children would be educated.

Officers said the benefits of the scheme outweighed the negatives and recommended approving the scheme.

Councillors felt “their hands were tied” due to the lack of objections from statutory consultees and the committee voted to grant permission by nine votes in favour with two abstentions.