A lack of Thames Water investment in the Oxford Sewage Treatment Works has led to the government 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 has warned that the lack of sewage capacity could hit the delivery of more than 4,000 homes and more than 500,000 sq m of commercial schemes up until March 2028.
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Now the Environment Agency has registered an objection to ambitious plans contained in the Oxpens scheme, which will be built on land off Oxpens Road.
The planning application is being submitted by OXWED – a joint venture between Nuffield College and Oxford City Council,
It features 234 new apartments, 258 student rooms, approximately 500,000 sq ft net of laboratories or office space and a 250-bedroom hotel.
At the heart of the plan is new public space – with a planned expansion of the existing Oxpens Meadow, and “opening up” of the riverside, with a major new public amphitheatre for use as an event space.
The scheme, according to developers, will contribute an estimated £270m annually to Oxford’s economy, with a £24m yearly boost in spending to local businesses.
(Image: OXWED) But it is understood the Environment Agency objection could cause significant delays as housebuilders may be reluctant to embark on a building programme until the issue has been properly addressed.
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Kevin Minns, managing director for OXWED, said: “Oxpens is one of the most significant opportunities for the city in terms of investment, bringing new homes, jobs, and creating a new riverside quarter with extensive public space.
“Our planning application has been informed by comprehensive consultation and discussion with the local community, city stakeholders and with statutory planning authorities including the Environment Agency.
“Developing alongside the river requires careful design and detailed technical work, and we are pleased the Environment Agency has confirmed to us that it’s now happy with our solution to flood risk and flood management matters.
“What’s disappointing is the emergence of a new objection centred on foul water discharge, based on the limited operating capacity of the Oxford Sewage Treatment Works and the lack of progress in upgrading that facility.
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“This is frustrating given the Oxpens development has been in the Local Plan system for over 10 years, so this late objection reflects a lack of forward planning and underinvestment in a key piece of Oxford’s infrastructure.”
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Mr Minns added: “We understand that constructive discussions are under way between the Government, the city council, Thames Water, Environment Agency and OFWAT and we look forward to a positive outcome from those negotiations, so the homes and jobs planned at Oxpens and elsewhere in the city can be delivered.”
Oxpens developers say they want the new development to be “largely car free”.
“Given the uncertainty around delivery and ongoing risks to water quality, we do not agree that a ‘phasing condition’ is appropriate at this time.
“Therefore we are maintaining our objection to this application because the proposed development would pose an unacceptable risk of pollution to surface water quality and recommend that planning permission should be refused on this basis.”
Thames Water said last week: “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.”
City council leader Susan Brown said last week: “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.”
She added that the council will continue to “press for an urgent resolution to build the infrastructure necessary to help clean up our rivers and support our local communities”.
Council leaders have chosen not to comment on the objection to the OXWED scheme.
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”.
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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.
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