FEARS are growing that the planned expansion of Ledbury by almost 1000 new homes will put too much strain on the local infrastructure, especially the town’s sewage farm.

The concerns came to light at last week’s meeting of the economic development and planning committee, in the Market House, where representatives from Barratt gave details for 321 house estate to the south of Ledbury and Bloor Homes discussed its plans for a 625 home estate, to the north of the viaduct.

Cllr Noel Roberts said the town’s sewage farm, off the Little Marcle Road, was “rather small”.

“It can only take a certain amount,” he said, addressing the Barratt representatives.

Cllr Roberts added: “I don’t think this has been looked into the benefit of the people of Ledbury. Once again the town is being fobbed off, by clever language; but when the brown stuff hits the fan, who gets it in the neck? We do.”

And addressing the Bloor representatives, who had discussed the policy requirement of building a canal section through their site, to the north of the viaduct, Cllr Roberts said: “Have you taken into account the capacity our sewage farm, or is the canal, in reality, a giant urinal?”

No human waste will go into the canal, of course.

Instead, a new pumping station could be built to serve the estate.

Bloor’s planning consultant, Guy Wakefield said: “There will be a requirement for a pumping station on the site.”

But the only plant, at present, where sewage could be pumped to is the existing sewage farm off the Little Marcle Road, operated by Severn Trent.

Consulted after the meeting, about the concerns being raised, a Severn Trent spokesman said: “When things like this new estate are planned, we are consulted and we do work with the local authorities; but unfortunately we don’t have any powers to influence or say yes or no to a development, whether our sewerage system will be able to cope or not."

But the spokesman added: "We have an obligation to provide a sewerage system to our customers, so if the developments do go ahead, we will make sure our sewers are in good order to provide the great service that our customers expect.”