Statement on St Mary’s Wastewater Proposals
Position Statement
St Mary’s Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
The Isles of Scilly National Landscape (IoSNL) Partnership has been closely following the discussion relating to the new proposals for wastewater infrastructure improvements on St Mary’s. We recognise the strength of community feeling and the active campaign backed by many local people, who care deeply about the Isles of Scilly. The Partnership recognises that the current wastewater infrastructure for Hugh Town (and other areas on Scilly) is in need of improvement, and is pleased that South West Water have responded to community feedback and have now committed to a solution which incorporates secondary treatment as a minimum before discharge into the sea.
As a member of the Partnership, we look forward to engaging constructively with South West Water and their supporting consultants as proposals are subsequently revised. The IoSNL Partnership would like to make it clear that any solutions identified must be designed in such a way as to minimise the impact on the Special Qualities of the land and seascape. This includes providing evidence to ensure that the proposal will not have adverse impacts to the designated features of the Peninnis to Dry Ledge site of the Marine Conservation Zone and the Isles of Scilly Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which includes reef habitat fostering vulnerable priority species such as pink sea fans, sea fan anemones, and sunset cup corals. This evidence will need to be reviewed by statutory regulators (including the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Marine Management Organisation) to ensure that there is high confidence that the proposals will not cause adverse impact to the National Landscape.
South West Water, as a statutory undertaker, has a legal duty under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2024 to “seek to further the purposes” of the Isles of Scilly National Landscape. More information on the enhanced duty is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-protected-landscapes-duty/guidance-for-relevant-authorities-on-seeking-to-further-the-purposes-of-protected-landscapes
You can read more about South West Water’s wastewater proposals using the button below.