Package treatment plant at Land at West of Courtenay Cottages, Washfield

What was proposed

The application sought to replace the existing septic tank with a package treatment plant and associated drainage, access and electrical works.

“The application seeks full planning permission to replace the existing septic tank serving Courtenay Cottages with a package treatment plant and associated drainage, access and electrical works.”

“The engineering layout shows new foul drainage pipework and chambers connecting the cottages to the new plant and reconnecting to the existing outfall route. The existing septic tank would be decommissioned and the existing outfall to the watercourse retained.”

Officer report

The site and system

The treatment plant would serve Courtenay Cottages, be mostly below ground in grassland, and connect to the existing outfall and access route.

“Courtenay Cottages comprise a group of residential properties in the countryside at Washfield. The existing septic tank lies approximately 150 metres to the south-west of the cottages, close to the existing watercourse outfall. The applicant advises that the system is aged, no longer operates at full capacity and serves approximately 40 people. The proposed Marsh Ensign 40 PE gravity- outlet treatment plant would be positioned in grassland closer to the cottages.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

Earlier permissions covered improvements to a communal car park and installation of a replacement underground sewage treatment plant.

“90/01765/FULL - DEMCON date 20th December 1990 DEEMED CONSENT for improvements to communal car park…”

“13/01455/FULL - PERMIT date 5th December 2013 Installation of replacement underground sewage treatment plant…”

Officer report

Why approval was advised

Officers considered the replacement necessary and environmentally beneficial, with visual, amenity, ecological and drainage effects controllable through conditions.

“AGENDA 13 7.2. The equipment would be largely below ground, disturbed land would be reinstated and no technical consultee has objected. Visual, amenity and ecological effects can be controlled through proportionate conditions.”

“The proposed replacement of the existing septic tank with a package treatment plant is acceptable in principle and would provide necessary and improved foul drainage infrastructure for the established dwellings at Courtenay Cottages.”

Officer report

Consultation and public views

The Highway Authority and South West Water had no comments, Public Health raised no environmental health concerns, and no public representations were received.

“Mid Devon Public Health: No environmental health concerns. Public Health notes that the new treatment plant would drain through the existing pipework to a nearby watercourse and raises no concern with that arrangement.”

“No public representations were received at the time of writing this report.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer presented the application and highlighted its location, size, mostly underground construction and associated equipment.

Committee discussion

Members asked whether the package treatment plant would provide the same quality as an ordinary septic treatment system and were told it would be higher calibre.

“Whether the quality standard would be the same as that of an ordinary septic water treatment plan? It was explained that it would be a simple replacement of an older inefficient septic tank with a package treatment plant that would be of a higher calibre.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee resolved to grant planning permission subject to conditions, following a proposal and seconder.

“It was RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to conditions.”

“(Proposed by Cllr B Holdman and seconded by Cllr G DuChesne)”

Minutes