§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment the Environment Agency has made of the likelihood of storm flow and storm sewer overflow, into Jesmond Dene and Ouseburn, Newcastle; and what the likelihood will be if the Newcastle Great Park scheme in its present form is fully developed. [123852]
§ Mr. Mullin[holding answer 25 May 2000]I understand from the Environment Agency that improvement work has been carried out to intermittent discharges that can, under storm conditions, discharge diluted sewage to the Ouse Burn. These improvements are at Acomb Crescent on the Red House Farm Estate and Three Mile Inn at Gosforth. Further improvement works on the Lower Ouse Burn at Byker are at the design stage. Other sources of contamination include the de-icing run-off from Newcastle Airport which has affected the entire length of the Ouse Burn. The Agency has developed a scheme with the Airport and Northumbrian Water that now conveys the run-off to Howden sewage works for treatment, with notable water quality improvements.
Potential sources of pollution from Newcastle Great Park have been pre-empted by the Agency at the planning stage. The developers have been encouraged to incorporate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs) into their proposals which will mean that water quality will be maintained or perhaps even improved if the 198W development goes ahead. However, the Agency will not hesitate to take the appropriate enforcement action should pollution arise from any aspect of the development.