Frustration over villages’ sewage ‘crisis’ as more homes approved

‘We have a procession of tankers making their way through residential areas to try and alleviate the excess by constant daily pumping’

REPORT BY GLOUCESTERSHIRE NEWS
Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter
06:00, 19 Jun 2026

There are serious concerns the sewage system in Twigworth and Down Hatherley cannot cope with all the new housing. (Image: Submitted)

There is frustration over the sewage “crisis” affecting villages near Gloucester which see a “daily procession of tankers” used to ease the problem.

Twigworth, Longford and Down Hatherley residents are extremely concerned that more and more homes are being built and connected to “failing and outdated” infrastructure.

These concerns were aired as planners considered a scheme for eight homes off the A38 Tewkesbury Road in Twigworth.

Rick Harris, vice-chairman of Twigworth Parish Council and chairman of Longford, spoke against CR Leasing Ltd’s plans to develop a parcel of land at Twigworth Fields.

He told Tewkesbury Borough Council’s planning committee that the village’s sewage network is in “crisis” and this year has been “getting steadily worse”.

The scheme is one of several new developments seeking to connect to the “failing and outdated” infrastructure, he said.

“For those who live in these parishes it’s becoming a familiar cycle. Sewage overflows up into public areas and walkways through manholes.

A tanker seen in Twigworth Green in January this year. (Image: Submitted)

“These areas are now cordoned off by Severn Trent, I believe, but not before residents and their pets have walked through it.

“We have a procession of tankers making their way through residential areas to try and alleviate the excess by constant daily pumping. This has been going on for months.”

He said the community is desperate for some “control over this chaos” and called on the councillors not to make it worse.

Anne Kenchington said the proposals were for housing in a sustainable and suitable location.

Plans for eight homes off the A38 in Twigworth Fields have been approved. (Image: TBC/CR Leasing Ltd)

She said the council cannot demonstrate a five-year land supply for housing and the principle for development on the site was well established.

“We recognise the concerns raised by local residents regarding highways, flooding, drainage, water pressure, ecology, community infrastructure, noise and light impacts,” she said.

“However, as set out in the officer’s report, these matters have been thoroughly assessed in consultation with the relevant technical consultees and found to be acceptable.”

During the debate, Councillor Jim Mason (C, Winchcombe) asked who is responsible for clearing up the mess if sewage spills out of the manholes.

Conservative Jim Mason is one of the three councillors who represent Winchcombe at Tewkesbury Borough Council. (Image: TBC)

“When the sewers can’t take it, they just blow the lids off,” he said.

“I’ve seen this happen in the bottom of Gretton Fields and it’s all over the roads. In the event of something like that happening, who actually picks up the tab for it?

“Who’s responsible? Is it the local authority, or is it Severn Trent’s responsibility to clean the mess up?

Sewage overflows in Twigworth, Down Hatherley and Longford. (Image: Submitted)

“Because this is what’s going to happen if we keep constantly letting these sites be built where you haven’t got the capacity to take away the foul water.”

Officers said responsibility for operation of the network lies with Severn Trent; however, the Environment Agency and the council would be involved if there is pollution.

Councillor Mel Gore (C, Isbourne) said there are issues with the plans but recommended granting permission in line with the officer’s recommendation.

This was seconded by Cllr Matt Dimond-Brown (G, Tewkesbury South).

Pumping in Twigworth earlier this year. (Image: Submitted)

“There’s nothing we can do,” she said. “It is down to Severn Trent and one would hope Severn Trent is listening to us yet again.”

The committee voted to approve the proposals.

Speaking after the meeting, Twigworth Parish Council chairman George Sharpley said the communities are in a “catch-22” and “no one seems to want to recognise the scale of the problem”.

“The planning process is limited to determining on-site drainage only, never mind whether off-site the extra foul waste generated means even more overflow through manholes around the village,” he said.

He said a planning inspector’s condition put in place for the Chestnut Tree Farm development in 2025 stated that no new houses at that site should be connected to the sewer until the wider network had been upgraded.

Sewage can be seen bubbling out of a manhole cover in Wallsworth Lane in Twigworth. (Image: Submitted)

“That condition is the only recognition we’ve had from the authorities that the sewerage network in Twigworth is a busted flush, spewing grotesque foul water into our streets and walkways, followed by tankers sucking up the excess, with all the inherent dangers these add to local safety,” he said.

Severn Trent is not a statutory consultee on planning matters and developers can automatically connect new homes to the existing waste network.

While water companies can request changes to planning applications, legally they have no say in whether any new development can go ahead.

The water company said it endeavours to work with any developer to ensure the drainage they are constructing meets national standards and to agree points of connection onto their network.

A Severn Trent spokesperson said: “We are carrying out investigations in the local area and working with developers to help them reduce groundwater entering the sewer network.”

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Credit: Gloucestershire Live – Carmelo Garcia, Local Democracy Reporter, 19 June 2026.