A FRESH application has been filed by developer Countrywide Park Homes (CPH) to release up to 43.2 cubic metres of treated sewage waste per day into Frensham Great Pond, much to residents’ disgust.

The original application for an environmental permit submitted to the Environment Agency, proposed 27 cubic metres of secondary treated sewage effluent.

However, this has since been amended and increased to 43.2 cubic metres per day into Whitmore Vale Stream, located near Wishanger Lane and Simmondstone Lane in Churt. The stream flows directly into Frensham Great Pond – a pond which draws in thousands of holiday makers, residents and swimmers every year.

As well as being home to a diverse array of wildlife, such as white clawed crayfish (a protected species), many clubs use the waters, including Frensham Sailing Club, the Farnham Angling Society and Frensham Sailability.

The application comes after CPH took ownership of Symondstone Farm caravan park in Churt. Commenting on the application Farnham MP Jeremy Hunt said: “I was very concerned to hear about the application to release sewage into one of our most picturesque and much loved areas of countryside.

“People are understandably worried about the prospect of such action and I will make sure any concerns are passed on to the Environmental Agency. We must ensure all the environmental implications and any health risks are looked at very carefully before any decision is made.”

MP for East Hampshire, Damian Hinds, has backed Mr Hunt’s comments and will be putting East Hampshire’s constituents’ concerns to the Environment Agency.

Speaking on behalf of Countrywide Park Homes, director Jonathan Harvey previously stated that CPH is “committed to ensuring that any waste from the site is treated and disposed of in a suitable manner and made safe so as not to have any impact on the local environment”.

The developer has also welcomed advice and direction from the Environment Agency as how best to proceed.

A spokesperson for Symondstone Community Action Group, which was set up in opposition to CPH’s application at Symondstone Farm, said: “We believe the application would not be sufficient to cover the full amount of properties (up to 137) and we estimate the final discharge amount could be in excess of over 100 cubic metres per day.

“As the application is for secondary treated waste this means that the effluent may contain both viruses and bacteria as well as nitrates and phosphates which have the potential to exacerbate algal blooms at Frensham Great Pond.

“These have been an issue for number of years and regularly result in the pond being closed to bathers and swimmers.”

• Waverley Borough Council has confirmed that the current arrangement for the facilities at the Frensham Great Pond and Common sites is for sewage to be pumped into the mains system and it is intended for the same arrangement to continue with the new facility - which includes an improved cafe offering a wider variety of food and drinks, indoor seating, public toilets, a ranger office, a educational room and an interactive visitor information area.

To comment on the application visit tinyurl.com/hox

grgj. Alternatively track Symondstone Action Group’s objections online at www.facebook.com/SymondstoneActionGroup.