Public inquiry into sewage plans

Objectors claim SWW proposals are not good enough

An application to discharge sewage into the sea off north Cornwall is to go to a public inquiry.

The secretary of state for the environment has recalled the three proposals because of local opposition.

South West Water wants to pump treated sewage into the sea, instead of the raw sewage currently being discharging.

It would mean building a primary treatment works at Bossiney but local people want the sewage treated to a much higher standard.

Environmental benefit

South West Water said it was legally obliged by its regulators to complete the schemes to timescale, costs and levels of treatment.

It said it was anxious to complete the work for the benefit of the environment, local residents, holiday makers and the regional economy as a whole.

Phillipa Bowers, a member of the local action group, said there is plenty of opposition to the plans.

She said: "We have a great many people working with us and supporting us."