A WATER company has been given planning permission to build a new storm tank in a bid to prevent flooding in the Deerness Valley.
Northumbrian Water had to come up with a solution following several sewer flooding incidents, which have polluted the River Deerness and have been connected with the death of cattle from blacks disease.
The company now has permission to build the underground storm sewer tank on land belonging to Primrose Side Farm, Alum Waters, in New Brancepeth.
It will take nine months to construct and when complete will be monitored by Northumbrian Water.
The River Deerness has been polluted on three occasions since 2013 as a result of repeat flooding from sewer manholes.
Durham County Council, which approved the application on Tuesday, had received 32 letters of objections to the scheme, including ones from neighbours concerned that it will interfere with natural drainage systems and could increase the flood risk to their properties.
Northumbrian Water has a statutory duty to address the sewer flooding issue in the area.
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