Residents in the small village of Maids Moreton, located on the outskirts of Buckingham, are expressing their anger and frustration over development plans that will see 153 new homes added to an area already burdened by an overloaded sewage system. With fewer than 400 existing homes—including charming thatched cottages and a medieval church—local villagers fear the implications of such growth are not being taken seriously, particularly regarding the capacity of the local wastewater treatment facilities.

The current sewage works in Buckingham have been operating beyond capacity for years, with the system proving unable to manage even the village’s existing sewage output. As new housing developments like this one advance, residents have voiced concern that the increased sewage will likely end up in the nearby River Great Ouse, posing a significant environmental risk. Kate Pryke, a local resident, articulated the residents' frustrations, remarking, “You wouldn't dream of building a house that you couldn't connect to electricity, or that was never going to connect to a road. But for some reason, we're building houses that have nowhere to treat the sewage.” This sentiment reflects a broader unease about the implications of development without adequate infrastructure to support it.

Notably, there was earlier provisional funding earmarked for upgrading the sewage works during the 2020-2025 period, but these funds were reallocated to another town in the region, leaving Maids Moreton’s sewage facilities in a precarious position. Anglian Water, responsible for managing the area's sewerage infrastructure, has stated that they are in the process of reviewing their growth portfolio for the next five years, although residents are sceptical about whether this will translate into immediate improvements for Maids Moreton.

Campaign efforts to stall the development have intensified. In February 2022, over 100 villagers participated in a protest walk against a proposed 170-home project, highlighting their commitment to preserving the village's character and supporting legislation that ensures local infrastructure can adequately support new developments. The protest garnered the backing of local MP Greg Smith and Buckingham East ward councillor Warren Whyte, both of whom stressed the importance of maintaining green spaces in the area. The growing opposition reflects a broader concern about planning policies that do not adequately balance development with infrastructure capabilities.

The implications of unchecked development extend beyond Maids Moreton. In other parts of Buckinghamshire, similar issues concerning sewage capacity have been raised. The Buckingham Society previously highlighted concerns that any further housing developments would overload the town's sewage system, stressing that Anglian Water had explicitly indicated the need for additional capacity to handle population increases. Additionally, Buckingham Town Council has called for legislative changes to empower local authorities to enforce better infrastructure planning that aligns with development growth.

The pressure on local resources is not unique to Maids Moreton; it resonates throughout the region. Residents in other areas, such as Bourne End, have raised similar concerns about the ability of existing sewage systems to manage new developments, pointing to instances of overflowing drains and other infrastructural failures. As municipalities navigate the tension between growth and sustainability, the push for coordinated infrastructure improvements appears more pressing than ever.

As Maids Moreton prepares for a significant increase in its population, the need for responsible planning to ensure the village's basic infrastructure can accommodate growth is paramount. For the residents, the quiet charm of their small village hangs in the balance, with the potential for a substantial housing expansion overshadowed by lingering concerns of inadequate sanitation and environmental responsibility.

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Source: Noah Wire Services