“We have long been raising the major problems created by the historic lack of investment by Thames Water in the Oxford Sewage Treatment Works, and its subsequent lack of capacity.

“This lack of investment has now led to the Environment Agency (EA) objecting to both the City Council’s proposed Local Plan 2040, and to housing and commercial planning applications coming forward in and around the city. This is a very significant environmental and economic issue for both Oxford and Oxfordshire.

“This is all part of a wider range of problems including the quality of water in our rivers and the sewage blockages and spills that have caused so much upset to householders and communities across our city.

“Protecting and improving the water quality in our rivers and streams is fundamental, as is having adequate water supply and sewage capacity. We need to have the right infrastructure in place to do this. The fact that we do not, and that this is now also preventing or delaying the delivery of much-needed new homes and job opportunities, is a source of huge frustration and anger.

“We have been raising these issues locally for many years but have seen no action. While I am clear this is a failure of the previous government’s making, I have been greatly encouraged by the engagement shown by the current government on this issue.

“We are now engaged in active and constructive talks with Thames Water’s new Chief Executive, the EA, and the Water Services Regulation Authority (OFWAT). We have also entered a three-way agreement with Thames Water and the EA to work together to help address the planning issue as part of our draft Local Plan.

“It is clear from these discussions that there are shared objectives from all partners to support the sustainable development and growth of Oxford and the surrounding area; to focus on ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place to protect and enhance the local environment; and to give assurance to the development community that the works will happen in a timely fashion to ensure we continue to deliver much-needed new homes and jobs.

“We also understand that Thames Water is working at pace with the relevant regulators to develop and put in place solutions that seek to address the situation.

“We continue to press for an urgent resolution to build the infrastructure necessary to help clean up our rivers and support our local communities. Without this, there is a major risk that we negatively impact the Government’s agenda to deliver 1.5m new homes in the next five years, and to grow the UK economy, supported by Oxford’s world-class life science and technology sectors.”

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council

Notes to editors 

• Environmental considerations and impacts are a key part of the assessment of planning applications and planning policy. To support this the Environment Agency (EA) is a Statutory Consultee in the planning process.
• The EA is now objecting to major planning applications in and around Oxford that add additional pressure to Oxford’s sewage treatment works (STW). Furthermore, Thames Water has started to require restrictive conditions that would prevent occupation of the development prior to the Oxford STW being upgraded.
• The Environment Agency has also objected to Oxford’s draft Local Plan 2040 on grounds of insufficient sewage capacity. The Local Plan will be subject to a future Examination in Public where this issue will be considered.
• Thames Water, which has responsibility for sewage infrastructure in Oxford, is developing a plan to address the issue, which will need approval from the EA.
• The lack of sewage capacity could impact the delivery of more than 4,000 homes and over 500,000m2 of commercial space that are planned in Oxford over the next few years (estimated up to March 2028).
• Parts of Cherwell, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse are also connected to the Oxford sewage treatment works, which means plans to bring forward at least 10,000 new homes could be delayed.
• Within Oxford, Thames Water has now placed a restrictive condition on a new R&D building for science and tech start-ups in Stanfeld Park, Headington (24/01434/FUL). The EA has previously objected to the Bayswater Brook Urban Extension, near Barton, and has indicated that it will object to other applications being made until a solution can be found.