Bid for 'sludge tank' near Andover given green light

The application was approved by Hampshire County Council’s regulatory committee on November 12, which said there was a clear need for additional wastewater treatment capacity.

The proposal from Draintech Tankers aims to address growing wastewater treatment challenges by establishing a local site for the collection and temporary storage of sewage sludge.

The site will be built just south of the A303, off Cowdown Lane, near the Fullerton solar farm and roughly 400 metres from the Picket Twenty housing estate.

Proposed sludge storage facility near Andover. Image: Whiterok Architecture/Draintech Tankers

The development will include two buildings: a single-storey office and welfare block for staff, and a barn-style structure housing sludge-processing equipment.

It will also feature three above-ground cylindrical storage tanks, along with 10 parking spaces for sludge tankers and 20 spaces for staff vehicles.

During the public consultation, a total of 203 objections were submitted, all against the proposal.

Resident Gary Champion said building such a facility near 1,200 homes was “madness.”

He added: “We already have to cope with slurry from fields in the afternoon, low-flying war games helicopters, and now this. Is there no consideration for the thousands of people who live downwind from this proposal?”

Another resident, Gavin Dawe, said the smell from the facility would be “horrendous.” He added: “It is much too close to the residential development at Picket Twenty.”

Matthew Treviss called the proposal “absurd,” saying it was far too close to local homes.

Mr Treviss added: “Andover is already going over and above with its attitude and commitments to the nation’s decarbonisation push.

“This is a lovely part of one of the most beautiful counties in the country and would raise serious concern for current and future occupants of nearby homes. Strongly object, and struggling to understand how it even gets close to consideration”

Despite the strong public opposition, no residents spoke at the regulatory committee meeting.

Speaking on behalf of Draintech Tankers, Carolyn Downie said there was a “clear operational need” for more storage capacity to support the business and local sewage works.

Mrs Downie said: “There is a clear and demonstrated operational need for additional sludge storage capacity to support our business and the surrounding sewage works.

This facility will relieve the existing pressure on the network, reduce unnecessary tanker journeys and improve local waste service efficiency.

“The proposal meets the development plan, responds to genuine local infrastructure needs and delivers a sustainable, well-designed facility for the community.”

Cllr Roger Price proposed granting temporary planning permission for five years to monitor potential odours from the site, but his amendment was rejected.

Cllr Kim Taylor said the new facility would include three external sludge tanks fitted with sealed lids to prevent smells escaping.

Cllr Taylor said: “What we are seeing here is a brand-new modern facility, totally sealed. I’m less concerned about that because I have experience with very old plants.

“Perhaps what we need to address is the fear of odour, and one of the ways we can do that is through a liaison panel.”

The application was approved. One condition requires that once the tanks reach full capacity, they must be emptied within 24 hours.

Although Natural England did not object to the proposal, it required that sludge must not be imported from outside the Solent catchment area.