Ashfield District Council is looking into how it can ensure new housing developments don’t worsen sewage overflows after a local lake had to be temporarily closed to swimmers because of polluted waters.
The authority is concerned about the knock-on effect of any new homes built as part of its strategic housing plan.
The Ashfield Independent-led council is drawing up the document after previously controversial parts of it were shelved.
This included the use of Whyburn Farm, in Hucknall, and Cauldwell Road, in Sutton, for a combined 4,000 new homes between now and 2038.
All local authorities set out housing strategies to the Government to outline where new homes could be built.
Initial calculations suggested 8,226 homes were needed in Ashfield between 2021 and 2038 to meet Government targets.
However, the backlash on the two large sites led to both locations being dropped and the council instead opting to lodge a reduced plan to the Government.
A meeting on Monday (September 11) heard updated papers – which don’t include both sites – propose locations for about 5,600 new homes between 2025 and mid-2027.
This includes various locations 1,311 in Hucknall, 504 in Kirkby, 3,283 in Sutton and 499 across Selston, Jacksdale and Underwood.
However, councillors debating the amended plans – which are expected to be the subject of another consultation later this year – have asked for assurances over drainage.
It follows Environment Agency data showing four major sewage spillages into the district’s popular King’s Mill Reservoir last year.
This was the cause of an outdoor swimming club closing to swimmers from January until the summer while “erratic” tests were examined.
It was later confirmed to be the result of a sewer overflow into the reservoir following storms.
Monday’s meeting heard this related to combined sewage systems overflowing after heavy rainfall, leading to concerns about future new homes worsening the issues.
Cllr Matt Relf (Ash Ind) is the council’s cabinet member for growth, regeneration regeneration and planning.
He said: “As we know with our old housing stock, we’ve got a lot of combined sewer systems and, unfortunately, sewage is overspilling into watercourses.
“We do have issues, for instance, of water pollution at King’s Mill Reservoir when it has been raining.
“I know it’s not our responsibility as a planning authority.
“But is there anything we should be taking into account in terms of these developments adding sewage into combined systems from elsewhere and worsening the water pollution issue?”
Council officers responded by saying the authority is “totally reliant” on provider Severn Trent Water (STW).
But Christine Sarris, assistant director of planning, said: “It’s one we can pick up by looking to [STW] to see if there’s capacity for sewage and treatment works.
“I’m not aware there isn’t capacity, though I know there are some instances of overflow at King’s Mill Reservoir.
“It’s about pinpointing that and the reasons for why that happens. This is something we have to do slightly separately from the local plan process.
“We will always contact STW and make sure there aren’t any implications.
“But I do agree, we need to make sure there is capacity and it’s something we can look at.”
Environment Agency data shows a further 40 sewage spillages also took place into the River Maun around Sutton last year.
It led to Cllr Paul Henshaw (Lab), county councillor for Mansfield West, saying the “unacceptable” spillages are “denigrating” open spaces.
STW says it has a team of rangers active around Mansfield and Ashfield who spent a day recently working with King’s Mill Reservoir staff.
It added a £76m flood resilience project in Mansfield will install sustainable drainage systems around the town, the River Maun and the reservoir.
These will reduce “storm overflow activations by retaining surface water and delaying or preventing it entering the combined sewer network”, STW added.
