PLANS to upgrade an “ageing” water pumping station north of Usk have been recommended for approval by county planning officers despite objections over flood risk.

The application, submitted on behalf of Welsh Water, seeks to demolish the existing Prioress Mill raw water pumping station (RWPS) in Llanbadoc and replace it with a new one. The company, which is also responsible for providing water and sewerage services for parts of England, has identified the facility’s inner-workings as being 35-years-old and in “poor condition”.

Pumps and parts of the site’s mechanical framework have been found to show signs of corrosion and leakage, while also being found to being subject to a “high failure rate and maintenance spend”.

The need for change is further reinforced by new Natural Resources Wales (NRW) rulings which increase the need for an “ongoing high reliability of service” at the site.

“Any failure at Prioress Mill resulting in a capacity reduction may result in Llandegfedd levels remaining low throughout the summer period,” a report reads.

“Due to the criticality of this asset, there is the subsequent risk of a shortage of water to the Cardiff distribution area."

To accommodate a new facility, a permanent 66 kilovolt overhead line – supported by a wooden pylon on nearby agricultural land – has been suggested. Other works include fish screens on the River Usk, a new transformer station, security fencing, improved lighting and CCTV and changes to existing site entrances on Prioress Mill Lane.

But concerns remain over the new station’s impact on the river, with an assessment finding that its presence will narrow the river by 10 metres, resulting in a “local acceleration of flows”. Nine households on Prioress Mill Lane and Llanbadoc Community Council have objected with regards to flood risk and concerns such as the protection of landscape character and nature conservation. Usk Town Water Fishery Association are said to be “alarmed” by the prospect of the site infringing on the river, calling it “harmful and dangerous”.

NRW have no objections but have recommended that permission should only be granted if certain mitigation schemes for protected species be implemented. The council’s planning committee will discuss it on Tuesday, September 5.