-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: 18 May 2009 13:10
To: Tina Rowley
Subject: RE: West Oxfordshire Core Strategy So Far - Interim Position
Hi Tina,
I respond to each of your additional questions below.
Q.You have referred to the Thames Water business plan 2010-15. Do you have a
schedule of proposed Thames Water schemes in West Oxon that you could
forward please?
A.Minor upgrades to Witney and Woodstock Sewage Treatment Works are proposed
between 2010 and 2015 in our business plan submission to Ofwat (our
regulator). However The Final Determination our Business Plan is not due
until later this year so we wont know whether we have the funding secured
to deliver these projects until then.
Q.You referred to the Brize Norton SPS and Carterton STW - what is the
difference please?
A.The asset referred to as Brize Norton SPS is a sewage pumping station. We
have a number of pumping station located all around the sewage network for
the purpose of pumping sewage. Carterton STW is the sewage treatment works.
Q.There is reference to the Chipping Norton reservoir site - I assume this is
Tank Farm?
A.As far as Thames Water are aware this is just know as Chipping Norton
Reservoir. There is a tank on the site so we are presuming it may be known
locally as Tank Farm.
CARTERTON
Q.If the District Council were to support further growth at Carterton (ie
1,000+ houses over and above provision identified in the Core Strategy So
Far document) am I right to assume that the lack of sewerage capacity is
not an objection in principle but more a matter of timing and funding for
the upgrades required? As there is no provision in your current business
plan could additions be made? Or is it a matter of any future development
of this scale being identified for a time period post 2016 because of the
infrastructure needing to be funded and implemented (funding by Thames
Water and/or developers)?
A.Thames Water will not be able to obtain additional funding in the business
plan 2010 to 2015 as our plan has already been submitted to our regulator
for a decision but we may have the opportunity to seek funding for the
period of 2015 to 2020 through our next business plan review known as
PR014.
As there are capacity constraints with the local sewerage network and
treatment works with associated potential amenity impact, if the
additional 1000 dwellings are allocated and the site(s) comes forward
ahead of any programmed infrastructure by TW, then planning permission
should only be granted where the developer(s) funds the appropriate
infrastructure improvements, with the infrastructure improvements completed
prior to occupation of the development(s).
If this level of growth is the preferred option then the bullet points
above should be clearly laid out in the Core Strategy for the policy on
growth for Carterton.
I hope the above is of assistance.
Kind regards
MARK
Mark Mathews
Senior Planner
Thames Water Property Services
-----Original Message-----
From:
Sent: 06 May 2009 09:59
To: Tina Rowley
Subject: West Oxfordshire Core Strategy So Far - Interim Position
Hi Tina,
I set out our comments on the different sites below.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards
MARK
Witney
Q.As you know the Council has indicated a preference for about 1,000 new
homes and employment development to the west. In response to consultation,
a proposal has been received for about 450 new homes on the eastern side of
the town which it is argued could be in addition to major development to
the west (or north). As regards the northern area, the agents are arguing
for a major development of up to 1,600 dwellings with supporting
facilities. Their submitted statement says: 'Although the site is some
distance from the Thames Water WWTW at Ducklington and gravity drainage
would not be feasible, it will be feasible to provide a pumping station on
site with a rising main to pump the sewage to the existing Dark Lane
Pumping Station. Thames Water has previously indicated this would need to
be upgraded with a new rising main to take the additional sewage flow
onwards to the WWTW. The estimated cost will be in the region of
£1million'.
Do you have any comments on the above in relation to feasibility and
timing? Would development in the North Witney area involve upgrading
existing sewers through the historic part of the town? Does the WWTW have
sufficient capacity to serve significantly more than 3,000 dwellings at
Witney during the years 2006-2026?
SEWAGE
Witney STW.
At present, based on the existing EA consent, Witney STW has capacity toaccommodate an extra 8000 Population Equivalent. However, when the newEnvironment Agency effluent consent becomes effective the works willrequire upgrades to treat the same incoming flow to a higher quality.
There is a project planned in AMP5 (our business plan period 2010 to 2015)
that will provide the capacity to meet the new consent when it comes in.
This same project will also look to provide room for growth according to
the growth projections current at that time. Capacity at the works is
therefore unlikely to be an issue if our plans are approved by Ofwat.
Northern Development Area (1,600 dwellings).
To drain this development, potentially a new Sewage Pumping Station (SPS)
to pump to Dark Lane SPS could be feasible. Dark Lane SPS will require an
upgrade to accommodate the flows. This has not been specifically included
in our final business plan submission to Ofwat and therefore it will have
to compete for growth funding against other growth risks across Thames
Water's catchment. A study to review rising main routes, costs,
timescales etc would be needed. The existing rising main does not appear
to pass through the historic (conservation) areas of Witney.
Eastern Development Area (450 dwellings).
This development would drain to Cogges SPS which also has no spare capacity
and is also not identified in the final business plan. Local sewer
upgrades are likely to be required.
Western Development Area (1000 dwellings plus employment).
It is unlikely that this level of development could be accommodated within
gravity network. Development could connect directly to Ducklington Lane
SPS but upgrades are likely to be required to do this, or, potentially
there may be an option for a new sewer to be pumped direct to the STW.
WATER
Due to the complexities of water networks it is difficult to predict
exactly the needs of new developments without detailed locations, numbers
and phasing information. It will require computer modelling funded by
developers before these answers can be provided
Carterton
SEWAGE
Q.As mentioned in the consultation document, Carterton Town Council is
seeking further substantial growth in the town. We have received the
attached proposal from Savills (first attachment) for about 1,000 new homes
on land between the town and Brize Norton village.
A.This development would drain to Brize Norton SPS which is currently under
capacity. Therefore SPS and network upgrades are likely to be required. No
specific provision is made for this in our final business plan submission.
Q.Land to the north of the town has also been put forward for consideration
but no details are provided. Bearing in mind your comment about a
requirement for significant wastewater infrastructure upgrades, could you
please clarify what would be required for an extra 500 dwellings above
commitments (as set out in the Core Strategy consultation document) and for
an additional 1,000 dwellings above that level. Are there any implications
for Thames Water if those extra 1,000 dwellings were to the north, east or
west of the existing town boundaries?For further context you might wish to
look at the housing land assessment for Carterton published in conjunction
with the Core Strategy So Far consultation document - see
A.The terminal SPSs are overwhelmed in wet weather, and therefore which ever
development comes forward network upgrades will be required. Caterton STW
will also require an upgrade. Development to the south of the town would
enable a direct connection to the STW.
WATER
Due to the complexities of water networks it is difficult to predict
exactly the needs of new developments without detailed locations, numbers
and phasing information. It will require computer modelling
Chipping Norton
Q.Taking into account your comments on wastewater and cleanwater please see
the second attachment (extract from submitted RPS document)which proposes
up to 400 new homes plus employment development to the east of the town.
Our assessment for Chipping Norton (same website link as above) suggested a
less extensive area for development may have potential. Do you have any
further comments to make please?
SEWAGE
Chipping Norton drains from East to West. Sewers on the eastern fringe are
at the head of the catchment and are small. Flows from 400 homes exceeds
the maximum theoretical capacity of any one of these sewers. A modelling
study would be needed to determine the impact and the most appropriate
solution.
WATER
Significant investment is due to take place at the Chipping Norton
reservoir site in the next AMP period which would negate its release for
development. Due to the complexities of water networks it is difficult to
predict exactly the needs of new developments without detailed locations,
numbers and phasing information. It will require computer modelling
Mark
MARK MATHEWS
Senior Planner
Thames Water Property Services Ltd