Our village is so smelly that we're being told to shove duvets down our toilets – and it's only going to get WORSE
RESIDENTS in a rural village are being plagued by sewage - as a new development could make the problem worse.
Local Parish Councillors have bashed the proposed housing development as the village's infrastructure is already struggling.
3
3
3
The village of Feniton, Devon, has been plagued by the smell of sewage, with locals encouraged to stuff duvets down their toilets to prevent sewage from overflowing.
Meanwhile, a proposal from South West Strategic Developments Ltd. (SWSD) aims to build 60 new homes in the area.
It has led to intense backlash from Parish Councillors who are more concerned with the village's ongoing problems than its expansion, as they worry the development could make things worse.
Chairman Martyn Smith told DevonLive: "We've got sewage coming up in people's toilets, it's bubbling out onto the roads - and there were even condoms hanging over the edge of a pipe discharging into a flood alleviation ditch.
The sewage problems stem from a Victorian system that wasn't upgraded in line with housing expansion in the area the council alleges.
Councillors added that the Feniton sewage treatment works is one of the worst polluters on the River Otter.
South West Water have admitted to 14 reports of sewage backing up, Martyn says, but councillors believe it to be more than that.
Several councillors are directly impacted by the village's sewage problems which gets worse during heavy rain.
Councillor Chris Wilkins said one woman has reportedly had to ask neighbours not to flush their toilets to prevent sewage from flooding her garden.
The area was previously declared an "unsustainable location" by a planning inspector after a 2014 public inquiry.
Our posh village is now ghost town strewn with empty homes
Several large-scale housing projects were refused on these grounds.
There was one exception to this - 34 new houses that Martyn says "ended in disaster" when the builder went bust as it left the homes half-finished.
Councillor Pam Rink said: "It smells all the time, even when it hasn't rained. With any more building, it just isn't going to cope."
Even a flood alleviation scheme intended to deal with surface water hasn't fixed the problem - as that is reportedly receiving sewage too.
Martyn said that South West Water has alleged that someone is illegally connected into the surface drain, but he adds "that's just deflection."
Despite organising meetings with the sewage company, the villagers have been unable to reach a resolution.
In addition to the heightened burden on sewage, locals also worry about the impact on traffic that the development could bring.
The narrow lane into the town already causes issues for the existing residents, and councillors worry an expansion would only make it worse.
In a statement to DevonLive, South West Water said: 'We recognise the concerns raised by Feniton residents and parish councillors and have met with them to discuss these issues in detail.
'We have investigated reports of sewage problems in the village and carried out maintenance to address blockages.
'We continue to work closely with local authorities and developers to ensure the sewerage system can support future housing, with infrastructure improvements planned as required. We remain committed to protecting the environment and supporting the Feniton community.'
A statement from SWSD reads: 'The application has made in line with the draft allocation of the emerging East Devon Local Plan.
"South West Water is a consultee in this process and have raised no objections to the proposals. They outline that improvements are already being progressed to address the community concerns around the existing systems and increase its capacity.'
The Sun has reached out to Feniton Parish Council for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
an hour ago
- Times
We need to find out why family life is falling apart
F or generations it has been taken for granted that the family unit is the cornerstone of the local community and, more generally, of wider society. But in recent years, almost unnoticed, changes of fundamental importance have steadily had a substantial impact on the structure and nature of family life. Office for National Statistics figures show that the number of marriages has fallen by 40 per cent in less than half a century and the birthrate has now reached an all-time low of 1.44 children per woman. As Professor Kathleen Kieran wrote in 2022: 'As well as relatively more children being born into lone-mother families, Britain has high and increasing rates of parental separation.' So much so that 'families in Britain are notably more fragile and complex compared with other western European countries, with high and increasing rates of parental separation: 44 per cent of children born at the beginning of this century will not have grown up living with both their biological parents (to the age of 17), more than double the figure for those born in 1970.' Last month Unicef published a report concluding that the UK was 21st out of 36 countries in terms of the wellbeing of children. It may be significant that the number of children assessed as 'persistently absent' from school is stubbornly high at about 1.5 million. The number of young people not in education, employment or training aged 16 to 24 is now estimated at just short of one million. In addition, The Times reported last month that 'nearly a quarter of parents with adult children have seen them move back in to the family home only two years after leaving it', the average age of return being 26. As the population continues to age, and as more young people survive with profound disabilities, demands on family members grow. A House of Lords report estimated that there are between 4.2 million and 6.5 million unpaid carers in the UK, and the actual figure is likely to be much higher. The average person, it said, now has a 50 per cent chance of becoming an unpaid carer by the time they reach 50. The above examples simply touch on the many changes that are now affecting family life in this country. Allowing the current changes to drift on while being little understood and neglected is the worst of all possible actions. The time has surely come for the government to establish a serious study in the form of a Royal Commission to better understand the forces which are driving these changes in family life and to preserve those elements of family life we hold dear. Lord Laming was chief inspector of the social services inspectorate from 1991 to 1998
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Sudoku 6,949 easy
Click here to access the print version. Fill the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9. To see the completed puzzle, buy the next issue of the Guardian (for puzzles published Monday to Thursday). Solutions to Friday and Saturday puzzles are given in either Saturday's or Monday's edition.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
School uniforms that pass the test! Clothes for every age with a 100-day guarantee AND prices that won't break the bank
As the school year winds down and summer peeks over the horizon, many parents are already casting their minds ahead to September. Uniforms, shoes, PE kits, rucksacks and the inevitable 'they've really grown!' moment - the big back-to-school shop is an annual ritual and a rite of passage as ingrained as the first-day photo on the front doorstep. But let's face it, the stakes are high for parents when it comes to schoolwear. Today's families are looking for quality uniforms that last past the first term, fit your child's ever-growing needs, and don't break the bank. Thankfully, Matalan has done its homework, passed with flying colours, and is giving its customers the cheat sheet in the form of its All Year-Round School Shop, a one-stop destination for everything from crisp white shirts and durable footwear to sporty essentials and even sixth form staples. Durability that delivers School uniforms get more of a beating that any other clothes. Worn day in, day out, through muddy playing fields and paint strewn art classes, schoolwear needs to be robust. Matalan's range boasts easy-iron fabrics, adjustable waistbands, stain resistant technology and lasting colour to provide parents with the reassurance that these pieces are made to last not just through the term, but the whole school year. In fact, this commitment to durability has even been independently recognised. Ten of Matalan's school essentials have recently earned the coveted Good Housekeeping accreditation - a trusted badge of honour in the eyes of many families. Among top performers are the Girls Grey Pleated Skirts (2 pack for £8-£10) and the Girls Jersey Pinafores (2 pack for £10-£12). Both secured top marks for comfort and ease of wear, while also being machine washable and tumble dry-friendly - which will undoubtedly be music to any busy parent's ears. Then there's the boys range with the Boys Slim Fit Black Trousers (2 pack for £10-£12) and the Boys White Short Sleeve Shirts (3-pack from £7), providing unbeatable value with stain resistance fabrics as well as adjustable waistbands on the trousers and convenient easy iron shirts. Other items given the coveted stamp of approval include wardrobe staples such as Matalan's Kids Black Base Layer Leggings (£6.00), 2 Pack White School T-Shirts(£3.00 - £6.00), both available in ages three to 16 years, and the Black School Joggers (£6.00 - £7.00) in ages three to 13 years. Plus, their children's footwear easily deserves recognition for its innovative scuff-resistant uppers, cushioned insoles and MicroFresh antibacterial linings, meaning they are made to go the distance - and look smart while doing so. Peace of mind, guaranteed Matalan are so proud of the quality of their schoolwear collection that they offer a 100-day guarantee. If for any reason you are not satisfied with the quality of your school uniform, simply return it within 100 days with proof of purchase for an exchange or refund at any Matalan store*. Not only is this a reassurance parents can count on, knowing that what they buy today isn't going to fall to pieces tomorrow, but it also helps to explain why Matalan is fast becoming the go-to destination for families who want clothing that works (and plays!) as hard as their kids do. Every age & every stage Whether your child is gearing up for their first day of reception, or about to graduate into 6th form, Matalan's uniform covers every age and every stage. Their menswear options cater for older students who want smarter, more formal looks like the Panama Tailored Fit Suit Jacket (£42) and waistcoat (£23), alongside everyday staples like their Easy-Care Shirts (3 pack for £27). For younger children, Matalan have all bases covered - literally - with essentials like Base Layer Leggings (£6) to see your little ones through the colder months, as well as cardigans, joggers, polo shirts and even swimwear. Plus, demonstrating a commitment not only to quality but also to inclusivity, they've also launched their Easy Dressing Range, which offers a selection of thoughtfully-designed, sensory-kind pieces, with things like simplified fastenings, for kids who need a little more support or who have additional needs. Big value, small prices With schoolwear items starting at just £2.50 and multi-packs that provide bumper value, Matalan is staying true to its price lock promise. Unlike some retailers, who slash prices in flash sales only to increase them the following week, Matalan are committed to keeping costs low all-year-round. Plus, for those who love to shop smart, Matalan offers many products for just £5 and under, as well as Back to School multibuys. Whether you're a hyper-organised early-bird, making a mad dash in a last-minute spree, or up-sizing to cater for a mid-year growth spurt, Matalan's school shop is stocked all year around, meaning it's always there with whatever you need when you need it the most. Discover the full range now in store and at
