Local Residents Rally Against Housing Proposal in Great Shefford

Dozens of residents in Great Shefford have formally objected to a proposal for a housing development that would construct 16 homes on a field situated on a flood plain. The concerns primarily revolve around existing issues with flooding and sewage management in the village, where Thames Water has been under scrutiny for its handling of sewage overflow.

The site, located on Spring Meadows, has been a focal point for community frustrations due to recurrent sewage problems. Thames Water’s pumping tankers are a common sight, as the local sewage system struggles to manage the current demand. Objectors argue that adding more homes would exacerbate these issues. According to one local resident, “There is considerable concern within the local community that there is simply not enough capacity within the existing sewage system to cope with an additional 16 family-sized homes.”

The Great Shefford Parish Council has also lodged an objection, citing the ongoing sewage issues that have gained national attention. The council stated, “Over recent years, there has been a great deal of publicity given to the Lambourn Valley sewage issues in the national press and TV, as well as vociferous local complaints, of manholes overflowing, sewage flooding the streets and residents’ properties.”

Many homes in the area have experienced disruptions due to sewage flooding, causing significant inconvenience to residents. The council highlighted that unlike other regions affected by storm-related sewer flooding, Great Shefford’s problems are mainly attributed to groundwater flooding. Thames Water has acknowledged this in its reports, asserting that the sewer system could accommodate additional homes if the pipes remain secure against groundwater infiltration.

Despite the objections, the developer has submitted a comprehensive 106-page plan detailing measures to manage flooding. They assert that any flooding would primarily be contained to an existing track north of the site and argue that the risk of groundwater flooding is low.

In an effort to mitigate these flooding issues, construction on the Great Shefford Flood Alleviation Scheme began in May 2024. This initiative aims to reduce the risk of groundwater-fed flooding in the village, which has experienced multiple significant flood events over the past two decades. Notable incidents occurred in 1995, 1999, 2000-2001, 2012, and 2014, with the latter event affecting 37 properties, leaving several families displaced for up to two years.

One objector expressed concerns about the visual impact of the proposed housing development, stating, “The proposed housing development would result in a significant urbanisation of the formally open field within the landscape containing 16 new two-storey houses and associated roadways, paving areas, and garages.” The objector emphasized that this development would alter the local landscape, particularly from public rights of way that overlook the site.

The planning application is now under review by the local council, with the volume of objections indicating that it may be escalated to a committee for further consideration. As community members continue to voice their concerns, the future of the proposed housing development remains uncertain.