Initial plans from a water company to build a new 5.5km pipeline in Barrow in a bid to prevent spills have taken a step forward.
Westmorland and Furness Council concluded an environmental impact assessment on proposals to lay the pipeline between Newbiggin and Barrow’ s wastewater treatment works was not required.
The council said: “The local planning authority is of the opinion that the proposal would not be likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as its nature and scale and the limited duration and low probability of impact.”
Planning documents previously said doing nothing was not an option in regard to the proposal.
“The function of the new pipeline is to enable transfer of storm water from Newbiggin to Barrow wastewater treatment works which has greater capacity,” said a report.
“Although there may be short term negative effects from the construction activity, this will ultimately be temporary disturbance followed by reinstatement with a major positive impact for the nearby designated areas being the net final result.”
According to planning documents, by transferring flows to full treatment via the new pipelines the potential for storm water spill at Newbiggin wastewater treatment works will be reduced to zero, except for in emergency overflow situations acceptable to the Environment Agency.
Documents added localised benefits upon water quality were anticipated upon Walney Channel.
The proposals also consist of a new water transfer station at Newbiggin wastewater treatment works and an additional 5,000 cubic metres storm water tank at the Barrow treatment works.
An environmental impact assessment screening opinion request said: “The proposed development would be appropriately designed, and impact avoidance measures integrated into the design where appropriate to avoid adverse environment effects upon identified receptors.
“The route alignment has sought to minimise the length of the pipeline whilst avoiding sensitive sites and minimising crossing of existing assets, such as roads, watercourses and utility routes.
“Based upon the application of appropriate management measures; the predominantly rural nature of the site; the low sensitivity of the majority of relevant receptors; the temporary nature of the construction phase; and the localised and reversible nature of associated impacts; construction of the proposed development is not considered likely to result in any significant environmental effects.”
