Westgate Fields in Louth set to be dug up to update town's water network

A favourite Louth beauty spot will be dug up in a major programme of improvements to the town's main water network .
Westgate Fields is set to be dug up so Anglian Water can update the towns main water network.Westgate Fields is set to be dug up so Anglian Water can update the towns main water network.
Westgate Fields is set to be dug up so Anglian Water can update the towns main water network.

Anglian Water has confirmed work to improve Louth’s main water supply will begin in October – ahead of the start of a new housing development on the opposite side of town.

Anglian Water says the work is vital to boost the water supply ahead of the 149-home development at Fulmar Drive.

The company says it has considered other sites to carry out the work but described Westgate Fields as the most ‘practical option.’

The work means the supply system will be able to cope with the new development – without having an adverse impact elsewhere in Louth.

Developers Taylor Wimpey Ltd are building the new homes.

East Lindsey District Council (ELDC), which owns Westgate Fields, confirmed Anglian Water had served a notice of intent to it regarding the work.

It is not clear what impact the work will have on the many people who enjoy the popular parkland area.

Anglian Water has said the site was chosen because the town’s main water network is situated in the area, near to Louth Golf Club.

The company did not reveal details of other possible sites but pointed out they will not need to put in place any major road closures that would have inevitably caused major disruption.

The improvements will take six weeks to complete and Anglian Water has said it will leave the site exactly ‘as they find it.’

An Anglian Water spokesman said: “We do not have a say on whether planning is granted for new homes.

“We do however have a duty to extend our water and sewerage network to serve those homes, and typically this requires new pipes and new infrastructure.

“We explained to the planning authority and developer that the existing network’s reach was not sufficient and a new water main would need to be laid through Westgate Fields.”

The statement added: “As part of the job we will return things to the way they were before.

“We have offered to walk the route of the pipe with an ELDC representative before we start work and to take pictures as visual records to ensure that park is put back to its original state.

“We have also said we won’t leave site until the council is happy with the reinstatement.”

The Leader contacted ELDC and Taylor Wimpey which declined to make any further comment.