Saintfield facing 24 month housing ban

Saintfield facing 24 month housing ban

28 November 2018

A BAN on new development in Saintfield could remain in place for two years.

Last August, Northern Ireland Water confirmed that it was not permitting new connections to the sewer system as the town’s sewage treatment plant was nearing the end of its treatment capacity and there had been a series of sewage spills at the Old Grand Jury Road area.

A drainage study has been ordered to come up with solutions to the problems but during a special briefing with local politicians on Monday night, NI Water confirmed that work on the investigation will not be completed until December 2019.

The study will determine the extent of work that is required to address capacity issues and so-called out of sewer flooding, with NI Water insisting Saintfield’s ageing treatment plant continues to meet strict environmental discharge standards.

While officials hope to be on site in the town as soon as they can, it has been confirmed that once the study has been completed, there is no guarantee that the capital funding required to implement its recommendations will be immediately available. A comprehensive design scheme would also have to be worked up.

NI Water officials have also confirmed Saintfield is one of a number of towns across the Province which requires significant investment to upgrade the existing infrastructure to carter for current and future demand.

Rowallane politicians fear the moratorium on new development in Saintfield could potentially be in place for two years and have urged senior NI Water officials to do all they can to expedite the work that is required. They say the current ban will not only have a major impact on residents and developers, but the town’s economy.

NI Water’s Stephen Blockwell confirmed to Newry, Mourne and Down councillors that the drainage study will not be completed until next December. He said the study will look at the causes of the current issues in Saintfield and outline solutions.

Pointing to sewage spills at the Old Grand Jury Road, Mr Blockwell, NI Water’s head of investment, said the study was part of NI Water’s approach to wastewater capacity and described it as a tool “to get timely solutions.”

Mr Blockwell continued: “In terms of the drainage plan we need to get the right analysis to come up with solutions and the model we are working on will be ready in December 2019. It takes time to do this work and analysis and get the right solution. If there is available funding, we will be able to bring schemes forward.

“There are under capacity issues across Northern Ireland in relation to wastewater treatment works but there are parts of the Saintfield area like Darragh Cross where development is not restricted.”

Mr Blockwell added: “Unfortunately for some current residents in Saintfield when there is heavy rainfall, there is restricted toilet use. This is very unpleasant and we sympathise with them. We will work to ensure everything is in place to develop a solution to this issue.”

Rowallane councillors Billy Walker and Terry Andrews have urged officials to ensure that the study is not only completed on time, but that money to implement its various recommendations is available. They argue it is not unrealistic to suggest that the development ban could be in place for up to two years.

“It is very concerning that work on the study will not be completed for another 12 months with no guarantee that the money needed to provide a 21st century sewerage system in Saintfield will be available,” said Cllr Walker.

“This is a very serious issue and one that must be urgently addressed. The ban is impinging on the future development of one of this district’s leading towns and we currently have situation during heavy rain that raw sewage is backing up into people’s gardens.”

Cllr Walker said it was his understanding that Saintfield is one of 20 towns in Northern Ireland which requires major investment to upgrade sewage treatment plants and the sewerage network.

He added: “Saintfield must be at the top of NI Water’s priority list and the money needed to upgrade the sewerage system must be available. Given that the study will only be completed next December, by the time it takes to draw up detailed designs and secure money to carry out improvements, the development ban could be in place for at least two more years. This is unacceptable.”

Cllr Andrews said Saintfield’s existing sewerage system could not cope and there were major questions over the long term future of the town’s treatment plant.

“The preparatory work to identify solutions must be completed as soon as possible and the money required to significantly upgrade the system must be made available,” he said.

“I believe a new treatment works is required, but it will take time to deliver such a strategic capital investment scheme. People in Saintfield are looking for answers to questions they have on the future development of the town. This is an extremely serious issue.”