Forum for residents of St Georges Park and Long Leys Road Lincoln

[Neville]

on long leys road this morning met a few residents who have complained about a smell of sewage around the top of mitchell drive. i have now smelt the smell. was told that this may be due to the mechanism not working at the pumping station on mitchell drive.

this pumping station was purposely built for the estate and elsewhere. the pumping mechanism i was told had failed on several occassions since built. i was told that it was adopted by anglian water but after ringing them about the smell, it is not. it has nothing to do with them if not working or breaks down. they are refusing to adopt the pumping station due to a gated entrance built by a householder, having to apply for a key, and not having access 24/7.

i am concerned about this as if the pumping station is not working, who is responsible for it maintenance and for the building. i have been told the access point is on private land and the driveway to get to it is associated with the house nearby.

can anyone help? thanks!

[Gareth H]

Surley if it is not adopted by Anglian water the land owner who owns the land it is built on whoever this may be is responsible for the maintence of the pump and building. Unless there is any legal documentation to say any thing diffrent. The land owner should have the paperwork. Lets hope they fix it quick

[SteveW]

Try contacting the Environment Agency.

They may take Duty of Care more seriously than Anglian Water.

[john shipton]

Neville and others.
The story goes back a few years when the land was used by Westbury Homes for portable buildings for its site management. These were adjacent to the pumping station. Westbury applied for planning permission to build a house on this piece of land. But it was believed that the land would be landscaped. A driveway was built to the pumping station for access purposes. This was from Mitchell Drive before the gateway was erected. This was in the plans for Westley's Croft, the title given for the estate.
City Hall refused Westbury's planning application on the grounds that the plan site was for 74 houses. However, Westbury Homes did not landscape the land and instead sold it to a local resident. The buyer applied for planning permission for a larger build of house. Objections were received. The buyer made a few alterations in the plans. The buyer made the application again and the planning application was granted at a planning meeting at City Hall. The result is what is seen todate.
The owner built the gated gateway the result again is what is seen todate. As far as I can remember, the gated gateway and walls were built before planning permission was granted. This was brought to the attention of City Council. However, the owner applied under retrospective planning and this was approved at a planning meeting. I stand corrected if this is not so!
The driveway was for and to the pumping station only and it was believed that Anglian Water would adopt it when the roads and footpaths of Westleys Croft were adopted by Lincolnshire County Council.
The owner built a bridge over the dyke for access to the West Common. On several occassions the owner was asked by City Council to remove it. The commons warden gave a letter from City Council to the owner for its removal with a final written warning of legal action being taken. The owner eventually complied.
What emerged, I think, was that the ownership of land goes right up to the middle of the dyke. This applies to two properties as well on Mitchell Drive, near the bridge.
A builder who built his own house on Long Leys Road, not far from main gate entrance to the West Common, added his own decking bridge to the other side of the dyke. It cost him a large sum of money. He was sent letters that it was illegal to have done this and the last letter from City Council warned him about court action. He complied and removed the bridge due to ownership only going halfway on his side of the dyke.
Going back to the gated gateway to the house on Mitchell Drive, what Neville has mentioned is correct. Anglian Water will not adopt the pumping station for the reasons given. So the problem has arisen who owns the pumping station for the catchment area? Who is responsible for its maintenance and working equipment inside?
Anglian Water refuse to adopt it. The original terms of access has been changed?
Westbury improved the security of the pumping station by building a wall around it. This remedial work was completed before Westbury was taken over by Persimmons. The pumping station at that time met the standards for adoption.
Most of the residents are not aware about the situation, some of which say that it is no concern of theirs. It should concern everyone! For if the pumping station is not being maintained, checked and inspected, and breaks down, who will take responsibilty for the sewage and its smell. Now the problem has emerged - is the mechanism working properly inside the pumping station? Are parts breaking down? What will happen to the pumping station? Will Anglian Water adopt it? Who is going to pay for any parts that are not working? And who owns it at present?
I would suggest that residents contact one of the Environment Officers at City Hall called Steve Beamont - telephone 01522 881188.
Please contact your local city ward councillors:-
Karen Lee and Neil Murray on 01522 546065
Helen Heath on 01522 881291
Residents also can e-mail those above.
If you wish the Long Leys Residents Association to be involved, please make a written request.
It is believed that Anglian Water have a case regarding the situation. They do not own it and it has not been adopted by them. Another question has arisen, if it is not working properly, who is going to pay for the repair work?
Having sought legal advice from a member of the legal profession, this may have to be done in court with the City of Lincoln Council, Persimmons, Anglian Water, and the house owner present if nothing can be resolved between the parties concerned. Who is responsible, accountable and who owns the pumping station?
I am told that Steve Beamont has contacted the Planning Department at City Hall. Also their Legal Department for advice. He is awaiting responses.
Why no action has been taken so far which has come to light just beggars belief. It is thanks to residents on Long Leys Road who have started the ball rolling after smelling sewage, a distinctive aroma, on the Westleys Croft estate!

[Neville]

there is some good news as well as bad news regarding the pumping station off mitchell drive.
spoke to anglain water who say that the matter has now been resolved between the parties concerned.
what remains outstanding is remedial work which needs doing. this is the responsiblity of persimmons (the developer). anglian water do not get involved in chasing up developers ie persimmons. this remedial work has not yet been done. could be why there is a sewage smell?
there has been an agreement made with the house owner over the gated gateway.
the position is this...the water and sewage drains remain unadopted as well as with the pumping station. once persimmons do their work and later inspected by engineers from anglian water, the process of adoption will proceed.
anglian water has provided a solution. it is up upto persimmons to carry out the work. it is do do with the main sewer and excess water drains.
so once again the developer has caused the problem hence the pumping station, and the drainage system not yet being adopted.
the question raised from anglian water is that what to do next for this adoption to succeed. it was suggested that local residents should contact their ward councillors to deal with the situation by making sure that the remedial work is completed by persimmons this year. nothing has been done by them for sometime.
anglian water did mention mr shipton who made enquiries a few years ago and because of recent complaints by residents last week and this week, followed it through once again.
thanks to john in dealing with the matter. hopefully the adoption will be completed soon.

[john shipton]

I can now confirm what neville has said and thanks for the compliment.
The person dealing with the matter at Anglian Water is the manager of the Engineers and Admin sections.
His name is Tony Heath.
Telephone number is 01604 446688.
He will deal with the matter once Persimmons has complied and the work inspected by his engineers for the outstanding remedial work to be completed on the water and sewage drains. Also some work to deal with the pumping station.
I would suggest that the ward councillors are involved with the matter. So would residents please contact them or the LLRA.
Steve Beamont, as an environmental officer for City Hall, is monitoring the sitation too.

Note-the adoption agreement with Anglian Water comes under Section 104.

[SteveW]

Let's just hope you don't have to wait as long as the residents of Dorrigan Close had to for their paths & roadway to be sorted.

Nice to see once again its good old Persimmon, who's motto should be: 'The builder that gives construction a bad name' !!!!!!!!!!!!

[the orange house]

We were prompted to have a look at your forum by a friend at the "posh end" of Mitchell Drive and we'd like to say how flattered we are that our life has become such a soap opera. From "illegal" bridges, gates and pillars to multi-storey houses and pumping stations it seems we've managed to fill peoples time and imagination for the past 3 years! However, we must say that we do feel a little bit put out as not once has anyone thanked us for all the drama! What would you all do without us!!

We look forward to reading the next exciting installment.

p.s Rob McCracken, don't forgot this Saturday, croquet and cucumber sandwiches on the lawn at 7, dress casual smart, cravat optional. Ta Ta.

[john shipton]

Steve Beamont, an Environmental Heath officer at Lincoln City Council, has had a response from Persimmons.
Mark Taylor. one of their managers, is now now dealing with the pumping station, the remedial work for the main sewage and excess water pipework, so that they can be adopted by Anglian Water.
Watch this space if this does not happen for reasons of another!