A CAMPAIGN group has questioned whether the sewer network will be able to accommodate a planned hotel on the shores of Windermere. 

Save Windermere has submitted a letter of representation to the planning application proposing to convert Pearsall House, previously an office space, into an 16-bedroom hotel with a bar/lounge and staff accommodation. 

The application has also had to go back to the Development Control Committee, the determining body, despite being approved last year. This is because the site conditions at the Far Sawrey location which the October 2023 decision was based on have 'changed,' according to the Lake District National Park Authority. 

Save Windermere founder Matt Staniek, who submitted the letter, stressed that they take 'no position' with respect to development proposals, writing: "The submission focuses solely on the ability of Ferry House Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) and associated sewer network owned by United Utilities Limited to deal legally with the increased sewage generated by the proposed development, the key question being whether the existing sewer network has capacity for the proposed development."

Mr Staniek wrote the proposed development 'will significantly increase the volume of effluent reaching the site.' 

He said it was 'unclear' if the site could handle the added work as it has 'experienced surcharging issues even in its current condition.' Mr Staniek claimed that in a 2013 report by United Utilities it deemed tankering sewage to a treatment site 'not a long-term solution.' 

"Therefore, any additional loading that necessitates tankering to Ambleside does not offer long-term ecological protection for Windermere," he wrote. 

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Mr Staniek also claims that Ambleside WwTW has already breached its statutory environmental permit in 2018, 2019 and 2022 due to raw sewage discharges, which are triggered to prevent the sewer system from flooding but are only legal in periods of exceptional rainfall. 

"Save Windermere believes that Ferry House WwTW should be turned into a pumping station with all loads transferred to a larger WwTW in the catchment as a sustainable, complete solution to this issue," he concluded. 

He argued by granting consent for the development it would undermine the National Parks' statutory obligation to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Lake District, as it would increase the risk of spilling untreated sewage into the Windermere catchment. 

In the application, United Utilities replied to the applicant's drainage strategy in January, which alleged 'there are significant capacity issues with the UU pumping station/septic tank' and proposed building a private wastewater treatment plant. 

The reply continues: "United Utilities can confirm we have recently undertaken maintenance works to address the concerns with the existing tank. Alongside this we have increased the capacity of the tank.

"We have no objection in principle to the proposed foul flows connecting to the public sewer from the proposed development. However, we would require the applicant to confirm the existing surface water and foul water drainage arrangements." 

In March, the water company approved a revised drainage proposal which confirmed that foul flows would connect to the public sewer system. 

The latest drainage report, submitted on August 14 to the planning portal, states: "Following the site survey and further consultation with UU, it is our understanding engineers from UU have been on site in January 2024 and have sealed the wet well to prevent groundwater seeping into the wet well and activating the pumps. It is now watertight. In addition, extra storage has been made available by using the decommissioned packaged treatment plant.

"As a result of these works betterment has been provided within the network, and an increase in capacity of 18 metres cubed achieved. As such, discharge is proposed to the public network, as is the current situation."