Fears sewage issues could delay 10,000 new homes

Susan Brown said Oxford City Council had raised "issues locally for many years but has seen no action"

At least 10,000 new homes in Oxfordshire might need to be delayed because of creaking sewerage infrastructure, a council has warned.

Oxford City Council said a “historic lack of investment” had led to the Environment Agency (EA) objecting to a key blueprint for planning until 2040, as well as other major developments.

Council leader Susan Brown said the lack of investment was a “a source of huge frustration and anger”.

A Thames Water spokesperson said an initial upgrade to the Oxford network is expected to be completed in 2027 with a “full solution” by 2031.

Oxford has been affected but three other districts' developments could be too

The city council said the lack of sewerage capacity could impact the delivery of more than 4,000 homes included in its local plan and major commercial developments.

“Protecting and improving the water quality in our rivers and streams is fundamental, as is having adequate water supply and sewage capacity. We need to have the right infrastructure in place to do this," Ms Brown said.

“The fact that we do not, and that this is now also preventing or delaying the delivery of much-needed new homes and job opportunities, is a source of huge frustration and anger.

“We have been raising these issues locally for many years but have seen no action."

Thames Water recently placed a restrictive condition on a proposed research and development building off Quarry Road in Headington.

It said it has no objection to it being built but that it should not be occupied until sewerage works have been completed.

Upgrades to Oxford Sewage Treatment Works will not be completed until the 2030s

Parts of Cherwell, South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse districts are connected to the Oxford sewage treatment works, so the effects could have an impact on the building of at least 10,000 homes.

The EA objected to an application for 1,400 new homes in Barton on the outskirts of Oxford earlier this year over a lack of capacity.

A Thames Water spokesperson said: "We're working closely with Oxford City Council and the Environment Agency to help deliver Oxford's housing needs while protecting the environment.

“It is important to remember that we’re not statutory consultees for individual planning applications, but we do seek to comment with concerns when approached by the local authority.

“We also comment on local plans for wider housing needs as they are developed.

"We're currently finalising plans to upgrade our Oxford Sewage Treatment Works to increase its capacity."