Fears estate building work could contaminate Newport water supply

Permission to build up to 85 homes on land off Edgmond Road in Newport was given by Telford & Wrekin Council in 2013 and Bovis Homes is currently carrying out the work.

The council initially passed the application under the condition that piling or any other foundation designs using penetrative methods would not be permitted without the written consent of the local planning authority, if it could be demonstrated that there was "no resultant unacceptable risk to groundwater".

The condition was later discharged "due to the lack of consultation responses", following an application by the applicant.

But a couple from Newport, who do not want to be named, claim the matter should have been more thoroughly investigated.

They have lodged a formal complaint with the council and say they will approach the local ombudsman if they are not satisfied with the authority's response.

A letter sent by the council to the couple said when the applicant applied to get the condition lifted, providing a foundation schedule and plan, this information had not been sent to the Environment Agency before the condition was discharged.

However, the authority said the agency was sent the applicant's drawings following the couple's complaint and considered the risk to controlled waters was low.

The authority said the Environment Agency was also fully consulted on the original application and anticipated the development to pose a low risk to controlled waters at that stage, but asked for the condition to be placed on the application if it was granted.

But the couple claims Newport's drinking water supply is derived from groundwater sources and it had not been made clear how deep the foundations would be piled.

Bovis Homes spokesman Scott Curtis said: "We have provided all the necessary information to obtain this consent and we will continue working with our contractors and the local community to deliver the remaining new homes at Haversham Gardens."