River sewage pipeline plan scrapped

Severn Trent had proposed building a pipe to take treated sewage from its plant in Bishop's Castle to the river

Plans for a pipeline to release treated waste water into a Shropshire river have been scrapped.

Severn Trent Water had proposed building a four-mile pipe to take treated sewage from its plant in Bishop's Castle and discharge it into the River Onny, which sparked a local campaign against the move.

The water company said on Friday that the plan would not proceed, as early modelling had shown it was not possible to guarantee that there would be no impact on the Onny.

The company added that, from the start of consultations, it had been made clear the plans would only go ahead if there was no "adverse impact" on the river.

The water currently enters the Snakescroft Brook, which runs into the River Kemp and in turn the River Clun.

The Clun is protected by law as it is a conservation area, but the Onny does not have the same status.

Severn Trent said its original proposal aimed to improve the Clun, but it would no longer proceed after the results of the "initial water quality modelling work".

Ruth Houghton, councillor for Bishop's Castle, said she was "very pleased" with the decision

Ruth Houghton, councillor for Bishop's Castle at Shropshire Council, posted on Facebook that she was "very pleased" with Severn Trent's decision not to proceed with the pipeline.

The Onny Preservation Group, which includes local anglers and landowners, had launched a petition against the plans that attracted more than 9,200 signatures.

Severn Trent said an alternative proposal would now need to be developed and added that the decision had been agreed upon by all groups involved, which included the Environment Agency and Natural England.

A spokesperson for the company said they hoped the decision not to proceed with the Onny pipeline would be "reassuring news" for many members of the community.