Surf Blog Archive
Praa Sands beach sewage scheme plans approved
The go-ahead has been given for a sewage scheme to pump waste into the stream at Praa Sands, the stream is the same one that runs out by the Sandbar and flows into the main break.
The scheme at Praa Sands will handle sewage from the nearby Praa Sands Holiday Park.
Cornwall Council members approved the plan on Tuesday night, but added that tough conditions would be in place to protect the beach near Helston.
An environmental study must be carried out before it starts and safeguards put in place in case of accidents.
The holiday park currently deals with sewage by using septic tanks and soakaways. The effluent in tanks is then taken away in tankers.
The planned treatment works would produce up to 150,000 litres of effluent a day, and treated sewage discharged into the stream which crosses the beach.
Campaigners against the plans said they were concerned about possible health risks.
Nearby Resident Tanis Board added that the plans could upset people staying at the complex, as well as those living nearby.
She said: "They will want their children to play in that stream and in the pool...Will they be happy to think their wee is coming down the stream and swirling round their children?"
Cornwall Council planners said the sewage works could only go ahead if it got the all-clear in the environmental study.
Councillor Andrew Wallace: "What they're going to discharge, if all the systems are in place and working, is clean water...The worry is that if any of the systems fail, it won't be clean...I think we have to mitigate against all the likelihood of that happening by separate conditions so as to mitigate against any discharge into the sea itself."
The company which runs the park, the Haulfryn Group, said sewage would get the highest level of treatment. Company planning agent Jeremy Lambe said: "We're very pleased with the outcome. It was the right decision...The proposal is a significant environmental enhancement and improvement on the existing foul drain arrangements at Praa Sands and its is a significant benefit for all parties."
source: BBC online
» Comments: 12
Tory Council, Tory Government, feels like a return to the bad old days of the '70s and '80's. Not looking forward to pump out time on big high tide change over days {usually Saturday evenings}.
anonymous
Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:16
i will personally stop this happening, by any means possible...no way will this happen!
Rob
Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:59
ok...done some research, all seems perfectly safe...no probs
Rob
Wed, 29 Sep 2010 21:16
Rob, would love to have you share your research, could you email me why you think alls ok, or simply add a detailed comment. I'm not an expert on sewage treatment but knowing what happens at Godrevy with heavy rainfall. I'm concerned the same could be true for praa going forward, forgetting about treatment failure etc
Dave
Wed, 29 Sep 2010 21:40
To True Dave...spoke to a mate quite high up in a certain sewage in the sea prevention organisation that i wont name, he seems to believe it will be extremely well treated and be like tap water by the time it goes into the river...i trust his knowledge, but i will be there with fisticuffs at the ready if this is not the case...please keep us informed, as i love praa, apart from the dropping in idiots...hee hee, couldnt resist that one....
Rob
Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:24
Also, have been informed that the system proposed completely separates sewage from rainwater, so there would be no probs with the rain....
Rob
Thu, 30 Sep 2010 08:34
I'm still not sure, I don't see what the problem with the old system is, it's been fine up to now. Why rub peoples backs up. Just looking at the stream, surfing and swallowing its invisible substance, knowing someone's jobbied in it is sickening enough. There's gotta be a more civilised solution than 'dumping' in poor mother ocean yet again! It might take some time convincing others.
Ol
Thu, 30 Sep 2010 09:21
its the same as tap water though....its fully treated effluent, nothing more...who knows maybe it will help form a decent bank!!
Rob
Thu, 30 Sep 2010 09:31
If it's as clean as rainwater it should be used to flush loos and fill there swimming pool therebye saving the resources they use for that - that's proper environmental management.
anonymous
Thu, 30 Sep 2010 09:39
Quite right, and as for forming a bank, is there sand being discharged? This is a worrying prescient.
anonymous
Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:04
Andy Cummins,SAS Campaign Director assures me that this sort of treatment plant is exactly what they are pushing for all over the country.If he's happy then i'm happy...until the systems fail or aren't maintained...at which point there will be hell up!!!
Hayseed
Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:01
First rule of camping, pack it in, pack it out. Anything else for visitors is unsustainable.
anonymous
Wed, 06 Oct 2010 09:31
Comments closed.