Campaigners are threatening Bridgnorth District Council with legal action to force it to stop a controversial scheme of work on 17 sewage treatment plants.

The cost of the work, which the council says is vital to keep the sewage plants going, is being billed to residents.

But an action group has been set up to fight the plans, which will see owners of former Bridgnorth District Council houses, served by the plants, slapped with bills of up to £3,500.

Justin White, of the Bridgnorth Sewage Action Group, delivered a letter to district council chief executive, John Harmeston, yesterday demanding all work be halted.

He said: “We had a site meeting at the Sutton Maddock treatment plant with our consultant and engineers from Bridgnorth District Council and Telford & Wrekin.

“The end result was that Bridgnorth District Council told their consultants to go and re-think their plans, taking the work for one site from £14,000 to an estimate of £500 from the technical consultant.”

Mr White said if the council did not stop the scheme of work and allow independent experts to examine the plans, the group would take the case to the courts.

Bridgnorth District Council is responsible for 17 plants, serving 137 homes, of which 93 have been sold.

Eleanor Harris, for Bridgnorth District Council, said: “Readers are reminded of the history of these sewage plants, which were originally built for council-owned houses.

“Over the years some of the properties have been sold and it is only fair that property owners contribute.

“Clearly we need to be equitable and we do not feel that costs attributable to owner/occupiers should be paid by council tax payers.”