SOSCA NEWS BULLETIN NO 15
- Libby Alexander
- Apr 10
- 5 min read
MARCH 2026
BULLETIN ON SEWAGE
HIGH GROVE FARM
DEVELOPMENT DEMONSTRATION
From the moment the developers, Barrett Redrow and Barrett David Wilson put forward plans to build 300 homes on High Grove Farm Chichester District Council and local communities fought against the proposal. The major concerns were the obvious lack of capacity to take the sewage and the destruction of Grade 1 Best and Most Versatile agricultural land. The outline planning permission was granted by the Planning Inspectorate after the developer appealed the council’s original refusal.
Crucially to the present situation the Planning Inspector gave permission on the strict understanding that ‘no homes should be occupied until the sewage undertaker confirmed that the necessary off-site foul drainage infrastructure was operational and that there was enough capacity in the network to accommodate the development.
Barratt’s plan to resolve the situation by proposing a ‘temporary’ solution - storing sewage within foul pipes and manholes on the site and then removing it by tanker, while off site drainage works are outstanding.
This in fact is illegal see:
Condition 15: foul drainage must be operational before occupation.
Condition 15 of the permission states that: ‘No dwelling shall be occupied until the off-site foul drainage infrastructure is operational’.
How to send in an objection
The easiest way to submit an objection is to send an e-mail to: dcplanning@chichester.gov.uk, quoting the planning application number and the subject.
Alternatively, you can log on to the CDC Planning Portal and object online at
Planning Application 26/00323/FUL:
Variation of Conditions 15 (Foul Drainage) and 21 (Vehicular Access)
Objections to this application need to be submitted by 25th March 2026.
THE SEWAGE CAMPAIGN NETWORK HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT
Local Campaigners and MP for Chichester Unite to Demand Accountability on Sewage Pollution
As part of a parliamentary national campaign briefing event held at the Palace of Westminster on 17 March, Jess Brown-Fuller met with Mike Owens of Hayling Sewage Watch (HSW) and Libby Alexander of Save Our South Coast Alliance (SOSCA). (see photo above)
The meeting focused on the need for more coordinated, joined-up regulation to address ongoing environmental concerns, and on ensuring the Government takes decisive action in tackling sewage pollution associated with Southern Water and the wider water industry.
Jess Brown-Fuller MP is a particularly well-informed and engaged advocate on this issue, having worked closely with HSW and SOSCA since her election. She has been consistently active in supporting efforts to improve water quality and regulatory accountability. Following the recent Dirty Business broadcast by Channel 4, she reiterated her commitment to continuing engagement with local campaign groups and to pressing for meaningful action on sewage pollution.
Jess Brown-Fuller says:
“It was great to meet with HSW and SOSCA in Parliament this week. Their campaigning and commitment to standing up against the water industry on behalf of local residents is vital.
I have been clear since my election that the terrible service provided by water companies must end, whether its sky-high bills, sewage dumping in our rivers and seas, or enormous executive bonuses. The government must fundamentally address these issues in the upcoming Water Reform Bill, something I will continue to campaign for in Westminster.”
SOSCA has joined Hayling against Sewage and
IS NOW A MEMBER OF THE SEWAGE CAMPAIGN NETWORK
‘DIRTY BUSINESS’
The Committee Room showing a whistleblower, Prof. Peter Hammmond, Ashley Smith
and on the right Clive Lewis MP talking to Joseph Bullman director of Dirty Business.
The three episodes of ‘Dirty Business’, a docudrama, was shown on Channel 4 on consecutive evenings from 23rd to 25th February. It highlighted the UK’s water pollution and sewage crisis. It also illustrated the failure of the Environment Agency as it allowed the water companies to monitor their activities ie ‘mark their own homework’ and the ‘revolving doors’ where figures from the regulators moved to highly paid roles at water companies.
The core theme of the series was the amount of raw sewage that poured out illegally across our highly protected seas and rivers and its horrendous impact as it poisoned the environment. But even worse were the harrowing scenes as it impacted human health. This was powerfully illustrated by the emotional unfolding of the E coli poisoning of a young girl who died an horrific death and a teacher who was a surfer who suffered from a specific disease that was incurable as a result of surfing in the sea which had a mammoth sewage discharge.
So much of the detail and background information came from years of collating data by two indomitable volunteers. They watched as their local river the Windrush became a conduit for sewage and dead wildlife and decided to act. They were Ashley Smith and Prof. Peter Hammond who formed the WASP action group. It was whilst they were researching the continual illegal discharges that they also became aware of the complicity of the Environment Agency and how they engaged with the water companies. During their research they came across whistleblowers who confirmed their worst fears.
On the 17th March, early in the afternoon the Sewage Campaign Network staged a drop-in for MPs to listen to their concerns that took place in Portcullis House. The Campaign members then moved across to the Houses of Parliament and had private meetings with their MPs and other members of the Campaign.
The third event took place in a Meeting Room of the House of Commons. Here there was to be a selective screening of ‘Dirty Business.’ The gathering comprised of the host Clive Lewis MP, the director of the series and various film crew, Ashley Smith, Prof. Peter Hammmond, two whistleblowers, and, most bravely, the mother of the young girl Heather Preen who died. The most sensitive selective screening was of when the parents had to agree to remove Heather’s life support which was shown when the Secretary of State for the Environment, Rt. Hon Emma Hardy MP, was present. She mumbled her condolences and left.
APULDRAM SEWAGE WORKS
To illustrate yet again how nothing changes. The sewage treatment works at Apuldram is situated overlooking the Harbour within Fishbourne Meadows. The lane that leads to it is constantly filled with tankers bringing sewage from developments that are not connected as they should be PRIOR to their construction. Apuldram was already at capacity and being overwhelmed they not only discharged into the harbour but, so it seems, also into the field adjacent to its works.
These photos were taken on Friday 20th March at midday. This is the field that is adjacent to Apuldram sewage treatment works.
These photos were taken whilst walking the Fishbourne Meadows on Friday 20th. It was midday. The first one is of the field that is adjacent to the Apuldram sewage works. It was spread out all over to the north and south of the field. It is not difficult to conclude what has happened here. The second was of the sea at the exit of the discharge from the sewage works. It was of a thick gloopy green and all along the bund there was a distinctly unhealthy smell about the area. The rest of the harbour was very still and the silence was disquieting. I was not alone with these observations. I came across other walkers who were also conscious of the change across the Fishbourne estuary and very concerned.
This slow but inexorable poisoning of our protected
environment has to stop and soon – before it really is too late.
Please encourage as many people as possible to join SOSCA. We can then send bulletins and news to them directly which will help them to voice their concerns to the right authorities. We would also welcome any ideas or contacts to help promote our cause.
There is no fee in joining. We are all volunteers. However, to help us help you it would be wonderful if you could all donate, no matter how small an amount, so that we can continue to challenge the government on your behalf.
THANK YOU
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