Southern Water’s plans to redevelop its Woolston Wastewater Treatment Works have been approved, in principle, by Southampton City Council.
The £60 million project will involve construction of a new treatment plant - the current treatment works was built in 1966 and is in need of modernisation.
The planning decision was delegated to the Planning and Development Manager by the Planning and Rights of Way panel on January 14, 2014, following an officer recommendation to approve the scheme.
Southern Water Project Manager Julie Anne Stokes said:
“We know the majority of residents support this scheme so we’re delighted our plans have been approved, in principle.
“We will work with Southampton City Council to produce the required documentation to ensure we can finalise the construction programme and start on site as soon as possible, working to the requirements set down by the Council.”
The first phase of the scheme, which is due to start in the spring, will be to build a temporary works to treat wastewater before elements of the existing site are demolished. The work will take about 12 months.
Once the temporary works is complete, construction of the new treatment plant will start – this is estimated to be in late 2014.
The existing treatment works will be demolished in stages and new treatment units, tanks, pumping stations and storage facilities built in its place. These will be covered by new buildings to enhance the appearance of the works, reduce noise and ensure any smells coming from the site are contained and then treated.
The new works will be within the existing site boundary apart from a new pumping station which will be built on Southern Water land next to the sailing club. Nearly all existing process units and buildings will be demolished. However, the site will remain fully operational at all times – Southern Water plan to build various temporary process units during construction.
The proposed scheme aims to:
- Significantly reduce smells coming from the works
- Ensure the treated wastewater leaving the site meets new environmental standards set by the Environment Agency
- Completely redesign the works so it fits in with the redevelopment of the area
Southern Water expects construction to take about three years to complete.
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