Fears over smell from proposed Hessenford sewage plant

Resident Lauren Forbes said smell from the proposed facility would "linger in the valley"

Residents have opposed plans to build a new sewage treatment works in a tiny village in Cornwall.

South West Water (SWW) wants to build the pumping station and sewage treatment works in a field in the centre of Hessenford, near St Germans.

However, residents said they were concerned about the potential for "foul smells" from the site.

SWW said the facility was needed to help cut down on pollution in the River Seaton.

In a planning application submitted to Cornwall Council, the firm said private septic tanks had been identified as a source of the pollution, which could be affecting bathing water quality downstream.

'Never been informed'

Alison Pengelly, who lives near the proposed site, said it "seems incredible" the villagers were causing the problem.

"The river is considerably long, beginning on the moors beyond Liskeard," she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"Has SWW done their own research and what were the findings? We have never formally been informed."

Lauren Forbes, another resident, feared odours from the site would "linger in the valley".

"My children will not be able to play in our own garden if there are foul smells and possible bacteria from the sewage plant," she said.

Residents said overflows from Menheniot sewage treatment works, which is further upstream, could be to blame for the pollution.

'Stop pollution'

SWW said in its planning application it was in the "public interest" to improve the environmental situation in the area.

A spokesperson added: "This is to stop pollution getting from private septic tanks into the local watercourse.

"The planning application for this work has been submitted and awaits approval from the planning authority."