Flooding 'tidal waves' and sewage problem fears with homes plan

OBJECTIONS TO 550 PROPERTIES FARMARKED FOR VILLAGE LAND

- By TESS RUSHIN

RESIDENTS fear flooding “tidal waves” and sewage if 550 homes are given the go-ahead.

Dozens of objections have been raised to IM Land’s plan for the homes after it submitted a screening application for a site at Frolesworth Road, in Broughton Astley, to Harborough District Council last month.

Initial plans asked the council whether the scheme would need an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for an outline planning application.

A total of 33 objections were raised against these initial plans for an EIA to assess the effects of the proposal on the environment.

The majority of objections list flooding and traffic issues as their major concern with the plan.

If the proposals do go forward, alongside the 550 homes, a potential primary school expansion and new community facility are also touted.

A farmer, who works near to the Broughton Treatment Works, said: “I've farmed this land for years and I've never seen pollution like this until the treatment works started overflowing.

“What's washing across my fields isn’t just surface water - it's sewage.

“Every time we get heavy rain, the system fails and the pollution spreads further.

“I'm speaking out anonymously because I’m worried about the consequences, but people need to know what's happening here.

“The plant clearly can’t cope with the existing load, yet more housing is being approved with no upgrade in sight.”