Blyth housing developer fined over sewage drainage problems
A property development company has been prosecuted over inadequate drainage arrangements at a housing development in Blyth.
The issue related to homes being built without proper foul water drainage.
An inadequate temporary system installed by the developer led to an open pool of sewage forming on the site, raising serious public health concerns.
Winken Blyth Ltd was served with an Abatement Notice requiring works to address drainage provisions in Windsor Drive that were resulting in conditions considered prejudicial to health and amounting to a statutory nuisance.
Despite the notice being served, the required works were not completed within the specified timescale and legal proceedings were started.
At Magistrates Court the company pleaded guilty to breaching the Abatement Notice. The Court imposed a fine of £720, reduced to £480 to reflect the early guilty plea. The company was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £192 and legal costs of £150.
While the company had initially failed to provide an effective solution to the drainage problems, remedial works have since been completed, including the installation of new pipework and connection of the affected properties to the mains sewerage network, providing a permanent resolution to the issue.
Councillor Colin Horncastle, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing at Northumberland County Council, said: "Firstly we welcome the completion of the works and the positive outcome for residents.
"The case also highlights the importance for developers and contractors in complying with statutory notices and shows our commitment to taking formal enforcement action where necessary to protect public health and secure compliance with the law."
The prosecution was brought by Northumberland County Council's Housing Standards and Legal Services teams.