Gillian has welcomed millions of pounds in investment from Southern Water to upgrade sewage infrastructure across the Manhood Peninsula, harbour and city.
The announcement came as part of the launch of Chichester’s Plan for Water, a roadmap from Gillian laying out actions taken to stop sewage outflows in the area, as well as future initiatives to reduce water pollution.
Subject to approval from the regulator Ofwat, the money will be split between communities across the constituency over the next five years. This includes £30 million for an upgraded UV treatment facility at Thornham, £16 million to improve Chichester’s water infrastructure, and a further £8 million for sewage systems in Lavant.
The announcement of £30 million for UV water treatment at Thornham is a win for Gillian who has campaigned for an improved treatment facility at the site for a number of years.
Speaking on Friday ahead of the latest in her series of Chichester Water Conferences, Gillian said: “I am delighted to be launching Chichester’s Plan for Water today. The huge investment from Southern Water, which is detailed in the plan, is a result of the long-term campaign I and others in our area have led to clean up our waterways, including the beautiful Chichester Harbour, and to hold Southern to account.”
CEO of Southern Water, Lawrence Gosden said: “We are very pleased to be attending this conference and to be working with other agencies to help improve the water quality in and around Chichester.
"Chichester Harbour is a crucial part of the work we’re doing in the Three Harbours area (Chichester, Pagham, Langstone) where we’re currently investing £72m to treat more wastewater, reduce storm overflows and further reduce nutrients from our works entering the harbours.
“We’re looking forward to investing even more money to continue these improvements at our treatment works while also focusing on nature-based and engineering solutions in this area to reduce storm overflows.”
Chichester’s Plan for Water also looks at the actions taken by central government to stop water pollution. This includes a revolutionary new monitoring system which has seen the proportion of storm overflows monitored across the country increase from 7 per cent in 2010 to 100 per cent by the end of 2023.
Additionally, a new Water Restoration Fund guarantees fines from water company profits will be channeled into projects that improve the environment. These fines for criminal sewage dumping had previously been capped at £250,000 but are now unlimited following a government consultation last year.
Gillian's plan lays out several of her longer-term campaigns to end water pollution. Investment in nature-based draining systems, including wetlands and tree planting schemes, as well as further improvements to pumping station infrastructure are next on her list of demands for Chichester.
Gillian said: “While we have made good progress in taking long term action against sewage outflows, I am still keen to see further innovative and nature-based approaches to improve our water infrastructure in Chichester.
“We also face significant challenges with flooding and sewage capacity as a result of speculative housing development, particularly in places like Birdham where 150 new homes were recently approved due to the absence of a new Local Plan.
“I have made several interventions to help Chichester District Council pass a new Local Plan that would limit housing development and am disappointed that more progress has not been made. The longer we are left waiting by the council, the more our sewage system will be put under unacceptable levels of pressure by unregulated developers.”
Friday’s Chichester Water Conference, which saw over 200 people from constituencies across the South register to attend, was also an opportunity for residents to put their questions to the CEO of Southern Water, Lawrence Gosden, and experts from Ofwat, Chichester Harbour Conservancy, Natural England and the Environment Agency.
Chichester’s Plan for Water is available at: Chichester's Plan for Water | Gillian Keegan
