Full News Report
9th January 2025
200 more homes for Liskeard concerns councillor
SOUTH West Water’s response to waste-water and storm overflow issues in the Looe area has been described as ‘poor’ by Cornwall councillor Armand Toms.
But the long-serving East Looe-based independent, who represents the Looe East and Deviock ward (which includes Morval Parish) has pledged to go back to the Exeter organisation to press home his concerns once again.
“I believe that South West Water’s reply is a poor response to the questions asked, and issues with Nomansland and Widegates were completely missed,” said Cllr Toms.
“This is something I will take up again with the company.”
However, those who enjoy swimming in the sea, especially at Plaidy and Millendreath, will be interested, if not totally heartened, by the response to Cllr Toms’ calls for run-off pollution to cease.
Said South West Water: “SWW will be undertaking improvements to reduce discharges at our Storm Overflows (SO), in line with our targets to reduce spills by 2030.
“In the requested area, the Looe Envact_Imp Transitional Project has a compliance date of 31 March 2030. As such, optioneering is still ongoing.”
That project include improvements to the Looe overflows at Bone Mill (Millpool), Buller Quay, Hannafore, Plaidy and West Looe Quay.
Added SWW: “Our Delivery Teams are also separately investigating optimization of the storm storage tanks”.
It acknowledged that the Plaidy sewage pumping station (SPS) pumps to the East Cliff SPS at a higher rate than the East Cliff SPS can pump up to the East Looe sewer network.
“As a result, in storm conditions some flows currently circulate in the Plaidy catchment. The solutions here are still being considered,” said SWW.
“Our asset management and design teams are looking into improving the performance of this SPS and increasing flow.”
Cllr Toms was also concerned about the impact that a planning application for some 202 dwellings at Tencreek Farm, Plymouth Road, Liskeard (almost behind the Premier Inn site, alongside the A38) might have on the River Seaton.
Commented SWW: “A hydraulic modelling assessment has been carried out to determine the impact on the network downstream of Tencreek, including the potential increase in spill events from Sungirt Lane Combined Storm Overflow (CSO).
“It is not expected that the development will increase the number of spills at Sungirt Lane CSO.
“However, we are investigating some of the sewer mains sizes in the area upstream of the CSO which may need some network reinforcement.
“This will be done through the SWW Capital Programme in Asset Management Plan (AMP) Period 8 (2025-2030) if required.
“This will be funded through the Developer Infrastructure Charge. Any investment will take into account known growth in the area. If any future growth is proposed in South East Liskeard, further network reinforcement is likely to be required.
“The overflow at Sungirt Lane is in the SWW Storm Overflow Plan for investment in AMP 10 (2035-2040) to bring the number of spills within the SWW 2040 target of an average of ten spills per annum.
“The additional flows from Tencreek will be taken into consideration. As the Storm Overflow Plan is reviewed, there is the possibility that it may be brought forward to AMP 9 (2030-2035).”