§ Dr. BrandTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has evaluated on, and with which bodies his Department has discussed, the high dispersal classification of the proposed Yaverland, Isle of Wight, long raw sewage outfall. [25478]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 28 January 1998]: Under the terms of the EC Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive, Areas of High Natural Dispersion (HNDAs) were identified by the Secretary of State in 1994, on the basis of recommendations by the then National Rivers Authority, using criteria agreed following public consultation.
The Environment Agency has recently reviewed HNDA designations, as required by the Directive and has submitted preliminary recommendations to the Department.
The proposed outfall at Yaverland will receive a minimum of primary treatment, subject to the outcome of a comprehensive study into the impact of the discharge on the receiving waters. The Environment Agency is responsible for assessing the comprehensive study. This process includes consultation with the Isle of Wight Council, Bembridge Harbour Company, Southern Sea Fisheries Committee, English Nature and MAFF/CEFAS. 326W Copies of the study are available for public inspection at the Environment Agency's Isle of Wight office. We have asked the Agency to ensure that the scientific basis for these studies is rigorously tested. We have also asked the Agency to keep us in touch with developments.