WALKING through the Stourscombe Estate in Launceston you are hit on numerous occasions by what can only be described as the acrid stench of faecal matter.

Locals report that the ‘smell’ started back in 2016 when South West Water put underground storage holding tanks near the roundabout/entrance to the estate.

Over the last decade more developments have been allocated to land across the A388, opposite Stourscombe, but the sewage system remains the same with each site bolting onto the existing pipeline.

There has been an outcry from residents each time, with many saying their complaints the sewage system is ‘unfit for purpose’ are being overlooked and ignored.

Now, a third estate is set to be ‘plumbed in’ and residents have raised a rallying cry — “Action is needed now!”

The latest estate, comprising 195 homes being delivered by Vistry/LiveWest, is nearing completion and residents are calling for a new drainage pathway to be created to take the burden off the already strained pipes.

We joined Les Whaley, Margaret Sully and Paul Jones on a walk around to smell first-hand what residents say they must endure on a daily basis.

Mr Whaley said: “We have raised this so many times with so many different organisations — Cornwall Council, South West Water, Highways — but nothing substantial is ever done.

“The problem, we discovered, is the pipe diameter is about four-inches — it needs to be 12 inches at the very least to accommodate this level of waste.

“The storm drains are also blocked — this adds further concern that a 'river of sewage' running down the street is almost inevitable at this point.

“As I say, we have complained repeatedly and never got an adequate answer.”

We were at this point interrupted by another ‘waft’ of sewage smell.

Les continued: “See! It stinks. And that is happening at various times throughout the day. It isn’t acceptable.”

Mrs Sully who has lived on the estate since it was built, said the smell had filled her whole home at one point.

She added: “It is a real concern for those of us living here – what about our health? This constant smell surely can’t be good for us.”

Also siting health concerns and the impact this will have on those wishing to sell in the future, Mr Jones added: “It isn’t a good look is it — or smell I should say. We don’t deserve this – I couldn’t imagine living in one of these properties right next to the roundabout.”

The local Cornwall Councillor for the area Cllr Damon Dennis has joined their fight and deemed the situation “unacceptable”, condemning the lack of response from South West Water.

He said: “Residents of Stourscombe Estate have experienced sewage odours and drainage problems for many years, with complaints made to South West Water dating back to at least 2016. Despite repeated reports, the problems persist, including a major sewage overflow in August 2022.

“This situation is unacceptable. It continues to blight the lives of residents across the estate.

“South West Water must clearly show the sewerage network has enough capacity before any new developments go ahead. I have communicated these concerns to South West Water and have yet to receive a response.”

Residents said they were pleased to also receive the backing of the area’s MP Ben Maguire, who has written to South West Water to highlight the ongoing issues.

Mr Maguire said: “After receiving a number of complaints about disgusting smells of sewage at Stourscombe, I wrote directly to South West Water to relay strong concerns on behalf of Launceston Town Council and local residents.

“With a proposal for 250 new homes at Stourscombe Farm, it is clear to me that the sewage infrastructure in place already cannot cope - which is why I’ve now demanded South West Water outline exactly what investments they plan to make in infrastructure upgrades for the area, as they are already discharging into two local rivers.

“Adding this many new homes, without the necessary investment from South West Water, will prove to be a disaster. I’ve been very clear in previous demands that their infrastructure upgrade plans across Cornwall must urgently be brought forward, to be put in place much sooner than existing timetables indicate, to combat the ongoing and serious scourge of sewage dumping into our waters.”

In response, the developers of the latest estate said they are proceeding in accordance with designs approved by South West Water and have not received evidence linking any odours with their development.

A LiveWest spokesperson said: "The sewerage infrastructure at our Launceston development has been designed in accordance with the adoption standards and requirements specified by South West Water and will be installed in accordance with those approved designs.

"We are not aware of any evidence linking the reported odour issues to the development, which forms part of the wider local sewerage network."

South West Water have been contacted for comment.