Pollution fears over hotel's wastewater plan

The Moonfleet Manor Hotel said environmental responsibility was one of its core priorities

Pollution fears have been raised over a hotel's plan for a new wastewater treatment plant on the shores of a lagoon.

The Environment Agency said Weymouth's Moonfleet Manor Hotel might not be able to guarantee water quality – unless changes are made to its application.

A pipe from the existing treatment plant, which has failed, leads directly into the internationally protected Ramsar nature site.

The hotel said environmental responsibility was a core priority and it was working to replace the broken treatment plant.

The hotel has been using road tankers to pump out the site and said it would continue to do so until it was replaced.

The Environment Agency has objected to the hotel's plans, saying it has not provided enough information to demonstrate that risks of pollution to water quality can be safely managed.

It said the existing foul drainage system was defunct and needed to be replaced or decommissioned.

The existing treatment plant has failed and the hotel is planning to replace it

It also raised concerns about wastewater from the hotel's swimming pool and bar area, which it said should not be fed into the proposed new treatment plant.

In a formal response to Dorset Council it said: "To be clear, we support this application in principle as a betterment of the current situation.

"However, the proper installation and appropriate maintenance schedule of the new sewage treatment works must be followed to ensure optimal levels of treatment."

A public relations company asked to answer media questions on behalf of the hotel said it was "working closely with the Environment Agency, conducting twice-weekly waste collections and carrying out regular testing to ensure safety and compliance until the new treatment system is installed".

Prior to the firm being asked to respond, a member of the hotel staff issued a statement that said: "Please be assured that guest safety and environmental responsibility are core priorities for us.

"The proposed works reflect a long-term investment to further improve our on-site infrastructure."

A pipe from the existing treatment plant, which has failed, leads directly into the Ramsar nature site