North Cornwall's MP, Dan Rogerson, has called for Cornwall Council to step in to "sort out the mess" over responsibility for vital sewage works at Belmont Close, Delabole.

South West Water had been due to 'adopt' the sewers, taking liability for their operation and long-term maintenance, but the company has refused to go ahead because the sewage system does not meet the standards set out in legislation.

The property company which built the homes in Belmont Close, says it has met all the standards specified by South West Water at the time it erected the properties. Yet the water company maintains it requested a higher standard. Neither party can produce documents to substantiate their claims.

Residents of the Close, who bought their homes months or even years ago, now face bills of hundreds of pounds each to meet the £19,387 bill for necessary upgrades, before South West Water will agree to adopt the sewers for future maintenance.

Mr Rogerson convened a meeting of residents from the area, along with local Cllr John Lugg this week. He says Cornwall Council has a responsibility to look back at documents from the original planning application, to resolve responsibility one way or another.

Commenting, he said: "It can't be right for people who've bought property in good faith to be asked retrospectively to meet the costs of sewage upgrades, when the proper standards should have been met in the first place.

"The question is whose mistakes have caused the problem."

He continued: "Residents don't much care who takes responsibility as long as one of the companies and agencies involved resolve once and for all which of them should take responsibility, and gets on with the necessary upgrades.

"Cornwall Council must do what it can to help resolve the dispute, so that homeowners in Belmont Close can sleep soundly at night, knowing there will not be a bill of nearly £20,000 hanging over them."