Up to 10,000 new homes - and some new businesses - could be delayed due to concerns over a sewage treatment works.

A lack of Thames Water's investment in the Oxford Sewage Treatment Works has led to the Environment Agency objecting to the city council's proposed Local Plan for 2040, and to housing and commercial planning applications now coming forward in and around the city.

The council is warning that the lack of sewage capacity could hit the delivery of more than 4,000 homes and over 500,000 sq m of commercial schemes up until March 2028.

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It is estimated that in total, plans for 10,000 new homes are in doubt, as parts of Cherwell, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse are also connected to the sewage works, which deals with waste from more than 200,000 people.

Earlier this year, the Environment Agency sent a letter to South Oxfordshire District Council saying the treatment works had been running illegally in breach of its permit since 2017, adding it was a "site of significant concern".

In March it emerged that plans for a major housing scheme north of Oxford were likely to be delayed after the Environment Agency strongly objected.

Christ Church College and its partner Dorchester Residential Management is planning to build 1,450 new homes at Bayswater Brook to the north of Barton.

But the Environment Agency said Thames Water’s Oxford sewage plant could not cope with more demand.

Plans for new businesses are also being affected.

The city council said Thames Water has placed a restrictive condition on a new R&D building for science and tech start-ups in Stansfeld Park, Headington.

More objections to major housing planning applications are likely to follow.

(Image: Oxford City Council) City council leader Susan Brown said earlier: "We understand that Thames Water is working at pace with the relevant regulators to develop and put in place solutions that seek to address the situation.   

“We continue to press for an urgent resolution to build the infrastructure necessary to help clean up our rivers and support our local communities.

"Without this, there is a major risk that we negatively impact the Government’s agenda to deliver 1.5m new homes in the next five years, and to grow the UK economy, supported by Oxford’s world-class life science and technology sectors.” 

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A Thames Water spokesperson said: "We're working closely with Oxford City Council and the Environment Agency to help deliver Oxford's housing needs while protecting the environment."

The spokesperson added: "We're currently finalising plans to upgrade our Oxford Sewage Treatment Works to increase its capacity.

"Due to the size and complexity of the initial upgrade this is expected to be completed in 2027 with a full solution being delivered by 2031. We will continue to engage and keep stakeholders updated on our progress.”

The Environment Agency said it would object to planning applications "where necessary", and offer advice on action to help address risks.  

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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