Developer wins appeal over homes near Gloucester sewage plant

City councillors are concerned extra housing might strain the sewage drainage system

Plans to build 185 homes near a "smelly" sewage treatment plant have been given the go-ahead.

Gladman Developments has won its appeal against Gloucester City Council to develop more than 30 acres at Hill Farm in Hempsted Lane.

The decision came despite nearby residents complaining about sewage flooding their properties.

Some councillors said they were concerned the sewage network was already at capacity.

But in his decision notice, planning inspector Jonathan Price said Severn Trent Water (STW) had confirmed there is enough capacity within the sewer network to accommodate the flows.

"Confirmation of this had been in response to interested party concerns over sewage overflow in some gardens in High View, served by the same foul drainage network," he said.

"There had been a request for a condition governing the foul drainage connection from this proposal, to take this directly to Netheridge Sewage Treatment Works (NSTW) rather than via the connection point proposed."

The new houses will be built on over 30 acres of land in Gloucester

Mr Price added the benefits of the scheme outweighed the negative aspects, with a shortfall of at least 569 in terms of the council's target for houses.

The original plans for the site included building 245 homes and City Councillors wanted the foul drainage from the site to connect directly to the nearby Netheridge Sewage Treatment Works (NSTW).

Councillor Paul Toleman said he tried to get a condition attached to the planning application to connect the sewage system directly to the sewage works rather than the existing system in Hempsted Lane.

"I'm disappointed by the decision but not surprised as the council needs the housing," he said.

Fellow councillor Rebecca Trimnell said residents are fed up with the large increase in housing in the area.

"Enough is enough when it comes to building in that area. It's become like a little suburb," she said.

"The residents are certainly not very happy and their concerns seem to be just dismissed."