ALARM has been raised at plans to pump waste water into a stream in Whitnash just feet away from a nature reserve.
Bellway Homes is building 185 houses next to Whitnash Brook and has applied to the Environment Agency to pump up to 2,462 cubic metres of rainwater run-off daily – almost enough to fill an Olympic swimming pool – from the site into the stream.
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust said it was extremely concerned and had asked the EA to consider the impact on the sensitive ecosystem of the reserve and the wider wildlife corridor.
In its application, Bellway said the discharge into the brook could continue until the end of 2029, although the volume would be dependent on the level of rainfall.
Green party councillor Will Roberts, who represents Leamington Willes on Warwickshire County Council, said he was worried about what would happen in extreme weather, like the rainfall at the start of the year.
He continued:”It’s a huge concern. The site is sloping down to the brook, so a heavy amount of rain could certainly lead to a lot of pollutants coming into the brook.”
A public consultation ended on Thursday (March 26) but Warwick district councillor Becky Davidson said many residents had told her they had not been aware of the plans.
Matt Western, Labour MP for Warwick and Leamington, added: “The impact that such discharge into our local river system would have is deeply alarming and residents have every right to firmly object to these plans.”
Bellway Homes said in a statement: “Protecting Whitnash Brook and the surrounding nature reserve is a top priority for us, and we are committed to ensuring no risk is posed to these areas.
“The application is for “rainwater runoff from the construction site, which may contain natural silt and soil particles.
“Bellway remains committed to working collaboratively with the Environment Agency and local stakeholders to address concerns and uphold environmental standards.”
In its application to the EA, it said “the ground investigation at the site identified no evidence of contamination and no elevated concentrations of mobile contaminants, presenting a risk to the groundwater, adjacent surface waters or the surrounding environment”.
