There have been setbacks this month for developers seeking to build new housing estates in King’s Sutton. The application submitted by Isle of Man-based Belgravia Land for a development of eight detached houses in Richmond Street has been refused outright by South Northamptonshire Council.
In the meantime, Thames Water has rejected sewerage and surface water proposals submitted by Banner Homes for its 40-home development in Banbury Lane. At time of writing, the reason for Thames Water’s decision is not known but local residents have been voicing fears for several years that the foul water pumping station serving the area is already inadequate and would be completely overwhelmed by an additional 40 houses so close to the flood plain.
Our picture of the Banner Homes site above comes courtesy of Banbury Lane resident Roland Ault, who took it during a prolonged period of heavy rainfall towards the end of 2012. One of several tanker lorries deployed at the time by Thames Water to remove excess water from its pumping station can be seen in the background. Regular failures of the company’s pumping station have led to raw sewage spilling on to the area’s streets on many occasions over the past 30 years.