Knowle Village
Location: Hampshire
Developer: Berkeley Homes
Size: 750 residential homes
Developer savings: £2m+
In July 2009 we pioneered an innovative solution for waste water services at Knowle Village which comprises 750 new homes situated on the site of a former NHS hospital.
Working in partnership with the developer Berkeley Homes, water industry regulators and local residents, we secured an inset appointment to provide waste water services to the village.
Challenge
The local incumbent water company was unable to adopt waste assets so Berkeley Homes approached Albion Water to take on the provision of sewerage services.
Estimated off-site sewerage costs were in excess of £3 million and significant delays in infrastructure provision were anticipated. With no firm delivery date and a growing Environment Agency prosecution risk Berkeley Homes focused on delivering a local solution.
Solution
We accepted the challenge and set up a team to work closely with existing residents and the regulators to deliver a sustainable solution. This was based on enhancing the existing sewage treatment works and renewal of critical lengths within the Victorian sewer network.
Results
As a result, we were able to:
- set prices below that of the local water company
- maximise the use of existing assets
- minimise the carbon footprint
- enhance the site’s biodiversity.
We have succeeded in our ambition to manage efficiently the waste water assets and also to facilitate highways adoption.
Nearly 10 years on we have also kept average household bills below those originally predicted whilst maintaining an exemplary record with the water industry regulators.
Now tried and tested, the Knowle model offers a practical way forward for domestic developers seeking a sustainable solution which avoids high capital expense and carbon connection to local water, waste water and flood management infrastructure.