Fakenham's sewerage not yet fit for town's expansion

Environment and water officials have met district planners to discuss what improvements to sewage infrastructure are needed to cope with a proposed expansion of Fakenham.

Environment and water officials have met district planners to discuss what improvements to sewage infrastructure are needed to cope with a proposed expansion of Fakenham.

North Norfolk District Council District is finalising Local Development Framework (LDF) documents which have identified Fakenham as one of the district's best opportunities for future growth.

A site to the south of the A148 bypass has been earmarked for 900 new homes, along with business and leisure areas.

But last year's LDF consultation highlighted a lack of capacity in the water system which could delay the start of the town's northward expansion.

Council officers held a meeting with the Environment Agency (EA) and Anglian Water (AW) last Wednesday to discuss what investment was needed to upgrade existing treatment works.

Nick Manthorpe, media officer for North Norfolk District Council, said “no concrete progress” was made, but talks will continue to ensure any improvement programme fits the development plans.

“The EA has to protect the River Wensum, a nature habitat and an important feature of the landscape,” he said. “Treated sewage flows into the Wensum and AW has to find a way to meet local needs while keeping the river clean. And the council has to enable new development because of the ever-growing pressure on local housing.

“So there are different - and potentially competing - needs that we have to find agreement over. But we are working together to see how investment in new sewage infrastructure, as required by the relevant environmental protection legislation, can be timed to dovetail into the new development over the coming years.”