Freddie van Mierlo MP Raises Alarm Over "Deeply Misguided" Lifting of Development Restrictions Despite Rising Sewage Pollution

Freddie van Mierlo, Liberal Democrat MP for Henley and Thame, has expressed serious concern following revelations that political pressure may have led the Environment Agency to lift its opposition to housing developments around Oxford—despite a sharp rise in sewage pollution and no concrete improvements from Thames Water.

A new BBC investigation has revealed that serious pollution incidents caused by water companies have risen by 60%, with Thames Water the worst offender. Despite this, the Environment Agency—under pressure from ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner—recently lifted restrictions on development near the Oxford Sewage Treatment Works (STW), citing assurances from Thames Water.

Freddie van Mierlo said:

“It is deeply troubling that the government appear to have leant on the Environment Agency and promises from Thames Water have been accepted as credible. Pollution is rising, not falling, and Oxford’s rivers and streams are already suffering the consequences. Lifting development restrictions without proper infrastructure in place puts both our natural environment and future residents at serious risk.”

Van Mierlo previously wrote to the Environment Secretary and the Deputy Prime Minister asking for clarity on what concrete protections or investment had been secured. In a reply from the Environment Agency’s Chief Executive Philip Duffy, it was revealed that while Thames Water had presented a "programme of work," full upgrades to the Oxford STW will not be completed until 2031—with only interim improvements expected by 2027.

Developers had lobbied the Government to lift Environment Agency-imposed restrictions, claiming Oxford had become “uninvestable.” But Freddie van Mierlo believes this kind of pressure should not override environmental protections.

“Oxford’s development needs are real, but they must not be met at the cost of environmental degradation and public health. The Government should be holding water companies to account—not weakening the already feeble oversight of a privatised monopoly that’s polluting with impunity.”

Freddie van Mierlo is calling for:

• Immediate publication of the full basis for lifting restrictions at Oxford STW;
• Independent oversight of Thames Water’s delivery of promised upgrades.

“We cannot allow developers and ministers to brush aside basic environmental standards in pursuit of short-term targets. This is not just about Oxford—it sets a dangerous precedent for planning across the UK.”