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Applications to discharge effluent into the Atlantic turned down |
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Friday, 09 May 2008 |
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Three applications by South West Water to discharge effluent into the Atlantic Ocean have been refused by Secretary of State for the Environment Hilary Benn following a public inquiry. The applications concerned proposed discharges from Tintagel Fine Screening Installation and Bossiney Sewage Treatment Works in Cornwall.
Objections to the applications were lodged by local resident group TAIST (Tintagel Against Inferior Sewage Treatment) who were concerned that the proximity of the villages meant their discharges should be considered equivalent to those of a single larger settlement, and should therefore be subject to a higher level of treatment than South West Water proposed. As a result of these objections the case was called in for a decision by the Secretary of State.
Hilary Benn agreed with recommendations made by the Planning Inspector, who conducted a public inquiry in 2006. In reaching his recommendations the Inspector took account of information and evidence provided by all parties, together with the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive and Government policy.
He found that Tintagel and Bossiney should be regarded as a single settlement with a population equivalent of over 2,000, therefore exceeding the threshold at which a higher level of treatment is required for coastal discharges. South West Water will now have to submit alternative plans.
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