Residents of Feniton, a picturesque South West village, are grappling with a worsening sewage crisis as plans for up to 60 new homes ignite fierce opposition from the local parish council. The village’s struggling Victorian sewer system is buckling under pressure, with alarming reports of raw sewage, condoms, and sanitary products appearing on roads and waterways.
Feniton Parish Council has voiced serious concerns about South West Strategic Developments Ltd’s latest proposal to build on land north of Green Lane. Chairman Martyn Smith warned that the existing infrastructure is already teetering on the brink, stating, “We’ve got sewage bubbling up in toilets and spilling onto roads. There were even condoms caught on a pipe discharging into a flood relief ditch. This isn’t sustainable.”
The village has endured a decade of challenges from speculative housing projects. A landmark 2014 “super-inquiry” rejected several large-scale developments, deeming Feniton “unsustainable.” Although a smaller scheme for 34 homes was approved later, it faltered when the builder went bankrupt, leaving incomplete construction and a rat-infested site.
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Councillors say the root of the crisis lies in the outdated sewerage network serving the station area, compounded by growth the system was never designed to handle. Feniton’s sewage treatment works, located in nearby Buckerell, is singled out as a major pollutant of the River Otter.
“South West Water admitted there have been 14 reports of sewage backflow, but we suspect the problem is far bigger,” Smith added. “Residents have even been advised to shove duvets down their toilets to block sewage. That’s no solution — it’s madness.”
Chris Wilkins, a councillor living in the hardest-hit Burlands area, described the problem during heavy rain as “horrific.” He noted a resident experiencing sewage and condom waste flooding her garden, forcing her to plead with neighbors not to flush toilets. “The stench is unbearable,” he said.
Pam Rink, another councillor, bluntly summed up the situation: “It smells all the time, rain or shine. With further development, this will only get worse.”
The contamination isn’t limited to homes. A flood alleviation ditch designed to manage surface water is being tainted with raw sewage. Smith reported seeing condoms hanging from drainage pipes. While South West Water claims illegal connections cause the problem, the council dismisses this as deflecting responsibility.
Negotiations with South West Water officials have left councillors frustrated. Despite repeated reports and public meetings facilitated by local MP Richard Foord, the water company has not provided clear solutions, prompting accusations of evasion.
Beyond sewage woes, traffic congestion looms as a major concern. Green Lane, the proposed development’s access route, is narrow and constrained by two tight railway bridges and a blind junction. Smith explained, “Only one car fits through at a time. Adding more than a hundred vehicles—at 1.6 cars per household—would make it a dangerous bottleneck.”
Wilkins echoed these fears, emphasizing the risk posed by delivery vans and service vehicles navigating the narrow lanes.
While the council recognizes the necessity of some growth, it argues that Burlands Mead, already slated for 35 homes, was always the most viable expansion site. But even this location highlights severe infrastructure gaps, including no school capacity, infrequent train service, and minimal bus connections. Basic amenities like shops and GP services lie outside the village, undermining its appeal as a rural haven.
South West Water responded by affirming their commitment to addressing the issues, citing investigations and maintenance work carried out to clear blockages. They stated that ongoing infrastructure improvements are planned to support future housing, and they continue to collaborate with authorities and developers.
South West Strategic Developments Ltd confirmed their application aligns with the draft East Devon Local Plan and noted South West Water raised no objections, highlighting planned capacity upgrades to mitigate concerns.
As Feniton faces critical decisions about its future, residents and councillors remain steadfast in demanding that infrastructure keep pace with development, warning that without urgent action, the village’s ‘madness’ over sewage and congestion will only deepen.