'We are not sufficiently reassured!' Environment Agency's intervention over North West Relief Road

The letter, from planning specialist Mark Davies, states: "We are not sufficiently reassured at this stage based on matters that need more detail and advise that the EIA needs to be robust, and risks/mitigation fully explored. We would not advise you to grant planning permission, subject to planning conditions, at this time."

The issue centres on the EA's worries about the potential for major drilling work at Shelton Rough, which is needed to build a bridge as part of the road, to contaminate Shrewsbury's drinking water.

The agency is also worried about the possibility of a chemical spill from an accident on the road's roundabouts – and subsequent contamination of water supplies.

The EA had outlined the concerns in May year, with Shropshire Council's consultants WSP, replying in June – saying no changes would be made.

Shropshire Council has since said it was looking to take the proposal to its planning committee for a decision before the summer holidays – with the July 18 planning committee the only opportunity to do so.

The project has already been mired in delays, with the council originally intending for it to go before a planning committee in late 2021.

But now the EA has explicitly asked the council not to approve the scheme – while also saying it expects the authority to commit to paying to fix any damage to Shrewsbury's water supplies if it does go ahead without its backing.

The EA letter also raises concerns about monitoring plans used to check if the Shelton public water supplies are affected during the work.

He says it is possible that by the time problems are noticed "potentially irreversible impact" to the town's water supplies may already have been caused.

He said: "There is currently a lack of sufficient detailed commitment on specific trigger levels and agreed mitigation actions etc should construction activities have a detrimental impact on the Shelton public water supply sources.

"It is also plausible that at the point any potential impacts are observed there may already be short term, long term (some years of impact/loss), or potentially irreversible impact, particularly in relation to any abstraction/intake feature.

"Such mitigation options, including corrective action, have not been fully explored within the EIA, but for impacts to public water supplies it could include provision of alternative supplies potentially including alternative mains water supply provision, at someone’s cost."

He adds: "We are advising as part of the EIA for the applicant to assess and consider necessary measures and as developer to make a commitment to provide financial reparation options for any foreseen and unforeseen impact arising from the construction and future operation of the proposed application."

A spokesman for the council said: “As work is continuing to finalise outstanding matters on the North West Relief Road (NWRR) planning application, the application will not be presented to committee in July as has been the subject of some media and social media speculation.

“However, the intention is to bring the NWRR application to planning committee in the coming months.”

Councillor Richard Marshall, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways, also said they would continue to work to address the EA's concerns – and are confident they can do so.

He said: "The Shrewsbury North West Relief Road is currently being considered as part of the planning process.

"We continue to work closely with the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water to give them reassurance in respect of any potential impacts of the development on water and the environment, and we continue to feel confident that these concerns can be addressed.”