A PROPOSAL to install two sewage tanks in Taw Hill is being pushed forward.

Earlier this year, Thames Water said it was planning to build two separate sewage tanks at either end of Queen Elizabeth Drive to ease pressure on the current system. However, that was met with fierce opposition from local residents who had a number of concerns about the proposal and asked for the site to be moved to a separate location. Among their concerns is the disruption during construction, the odour from ventilation and the traffic caused when the tanks are emptied.

Following the intervention from local councillors and Swindon North MP Justin Tomlinson, the company agreed to reconsider the plans. After looking at the alternatives, Optimise, who are the contractors working on the project, contacted residents to say that a number of changes had been made.

No formal application has been put forward and Thames Water says it is still in talks with residents.

In the updated proposal, a planned lay-by close to one of tanks has been removed and the pressure relief column, which may emit a strong odour, will be replaced with vented manholes. However, locals say they feel the changes do not go far enough and are simply a way of avoiding planning permission. Brian McLean, a resident on Queen Elizabeth Drive, said: “They say they have compromised for our benefit but it looks as though everything on the surface has been taken off so they don’t need to get planning permission. “The lay-by, the column, the work cabin and the lighting column have all been taken out. “Apparently, planning law means there is no need to apply for planning permission.”

The residents are now considering having their own independent impact survey carried out to assess the proposal.

He said: “The north tank, which is the size of 20 double-decker buses, will be located just 20 metres from someone’s house.

“The impact this will have on the land and the foundations of this house and other properties nearby needs to be properly looked at, especially if the ground shifts.

“We have a meeting arranged with them next week where we will be making our feelings known.”

Thames Water has denied that the plans are finalised and say it is still planning on consulting with residents.

A spokesman for the company said: “We’re still finalising our plans to upgrade the sewer network and have not yet applied for planning permission. “We’ve reviewed feedback from local residents and will be meeting with interested parties next week to discuss our conclusions.

“Once we have had that meeting we will confirm any potential changes to our design.”