New sewage works planned for Gillingham

It's needed to cope with hundreds of new homes being built

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 26th Apr 2023

A new sewage works is to be built for Gillingham, as hundreds more homes are to be built there.

The pumping station at Ham Farm is going on land already owned by Wessex Water, following approval from Dorset Council.

It will treat water from proposed new housing developments south of the town and to the east of the pumping station site, being developed by Redrow Homes.

Work is expected to start on the site in May this year and is expected to see five HGV trips per day with additional, smaller vehicles, for construction staff.

The nearest buildings are Newhouse Farm Cottages to 93metres east of the B3092, with the River Lodden to the immediate north about 50metres away.

A map of where the works would go, with the red area covering the full site footprint, and the blue being the area already owned by Wessex Water

Wessex Water say the site is mainly grassland which will minimise the environmental impacts of the development:

“No significant adverse effects on the environment are anticipated. There will be a small increase in traffic and noise during the construction period, but these will only be temporary, and every effort will be made to keep these to a minimum. An ecological survey has been completed with no protected species identified. Landscape planting is to be implemented in order to provide compensation for the grassland habitat."

Much of the development will be underground with a small number of kiosks, in green, above ground with a hardstanding area for vehicles.

The whole site to be surrounded by green palisade fencing and gates.

Wessex Water say it will be planting eight trees within the compound itself and a hedge around the perimeter to soften the impact of the structures.

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