West Berkshire Council planners fear for River Lambourn pollution

A LAMBOURN pub's pergola plan has been rejected – because of pollution in the local waterways.

The bombshell was dropped in a planning officer's report recommending refusal for permission to instal a pergola and fencing in the grounds of The Wheelwright Arms in The Broadway.

One of the reasons for refusal was loss of car parking space.

But the report also revealed: "The application is for development inside the catchment of the River Lambourn Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which Natural England advises is in an unfavourable condition due to an exceeded nutrient threshold."

In March, the Government environment watchdog, Natural England, wrote to the district council's chief executive and head of planning, warning that the rare chalk stream, which supposedly receives the highest level or protection, was at risk from excess nutrients – specifically, phosphorous.

The planning officer's report adds that: "The proposed development, either alone or in combination with other plans or projects, is likely to have a significant effect on the River Lambourn SAC.

"In carrying out an appropriate assessment of the implications of the proposed development for the River Lambourn SAC, in view of that site's conservation objectives, an adverse effect on the integrity of the SAC cannot be ruled out.

"The proposed development would therefore be contrary to policy."

The application was duly rejected.

In January this newspaper reported how the environmental campaign group Action for the River Kennet (ARK) has warned of potentially devastating consequences for the River Lambourn due to a construction project in Newbury.

A stream runs into the Kennet and Avon Canal and eventually into the River Lambourn and ARK has posted on social media: "This polluted channel on the business park in Newbury feeds into the River Lambourn, a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and a SAC."

West Berkshire Council has confirmed it has received complaints but stated that the issue is one for the Environment Agency to deal with.

But an agency officer wrote to residents stating: "Unfortunately, because the Environment Agency has received a budget cut compared to funds received last year, we are now only able to respond to the most serious environmental incidents.

"Therefore, we will not be taking any further action in this instance."

Meanwhile the application for the pub pergola and fencing was refused.