Winchester City Council – Health and Environment Policy Committee – Wednesday 1 March 2023.
Natural England and Southern Water at the Winchester City Council’s Health and Environment Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday 1 March 2023 provided a number of updates on a variety of aspects related to ‘the protection of our local rivers & waterways’. Full coverage of the meeting can be accessed via YouTube (see below).
Green Party Cllr Malcolm Wallace followed-up on the motion passed by WCC in July 2022 to ‘Protect our local rivers & waterways’. Southern Water were asked to commit support to WCC to ensure all planning applications for major developments include assessments of the wastewater system capacity to avoid polluting impacts on our
watercourses and wider environment. It was stressed the 3,500 hrs of wastewater discharge during last year was an unacceptable situation.
To see Cllr. Malcolm Wallace speak and replies given, scroll to approx 53 minutes
The many ongoing concerns about Hambledon and Waltham Chase wastewater – sewerage water incidents – were also raised. It was stressed the Hambledon Infiltration Reduction Plan along with Flood Alleviation work still required further attention following recent incidents. Similarly, Waltham Chase residents were fed-up with the lack of action about wastewater.
Clarification about how the large areas of Southern Water owned land can support nature recovery was also sought. The response from Southern Water was positive in that they would look into these issues, and it was confirmed they
would be actively progressing Nature Recovery as part of their Land Management Strategy.
Danny Lee, the Green Party candidate for Central Meon Valley said after the meeting –” The Council, Environment Agency, Southern Water and Natural England need to work closer together to ensure residents, communities, businesses and farmers have the highest quality standards of reliable drinking water and waste water processing for our health plus protection and recovery of nature. High nature, low carbon and pollution free joined-up Strategies and Plans are needed now more than ever before.
Malcolm Wallace and Danny Lee discuss the forthcoming meeting by the River Meon in Droxford
Polly Parry who also attended the meeting said ” I was pleased to hear Southern Water has not forgotten about the River Meon despite the meeting’s considerable focus on the Test and Itchen rivers
