A water treatment works next to an Isle of Wight village could be expanded as part of an upgrade to increase its capacity.
Southern Water has applied to the Isle of Wight council for planning permission for a change of use of land and works connected to upgrading the St Helens Wastewater Treatment Works (WTW).
The water utility company is looking to extend the existing site, accessed from Carpenters Road and ‘surrounded by arable fields, semi-improved grassland and broadleaved woodland’, by 609 square metres into land owned by the company, according to a submitted statement.
Extra tank and boundary fencing
An extension would allow the construction of an extra tank and the installation of boundary fencing around the extended operational area.
Southern Water said,
“The upgrade is necessary to ensure compliance by the regulatory deadline of 31st March 2025, which has been set by the Environment Agency.
“The upgrade will increase the capacity of the WTW to fully treat the additional flows that will be generated by anticipated population growth in the catchment over the period to 2035.
“The WTW and proposed works are north and adjacent to Brading Marshes to St Helens Ledges Site of Special Scientific Interest, the Solent and Southampton Water Special Protection Area and approximately 30 metres north of the RSPB’s Brading Marshes Nature Reserve.
“The proposed change of use of land and installation of the tank will contribute to protecting and enhancing the natural environment whilst delivering significant social benefits.
“The proposed fencing is necessary to maintain the security of the extended site and public safety.”
Southern Water added there was ‘insufficient space’ inside the current operational site to ‘fully accommodate’ the proposed new tank.
The company also stated proposed works are ‘scheduled to commence’ in Spring 2025, with construction continuing until Autumn or Winter.
View the plans
You can view the plans on the council’s planning register (24/01888/FUL).
The public consultation runs until 20th January 2025.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
