South West Water has completed work to connect a number of properties at Royal William Yard in Plymouth to its wastewater network that were discharging sewage into Firestone Bay, in partnership with Urban Splash, after a two-year campaign by local MP, Luke Pollard.

Last year, Mr Pollard brokered a deal between residents and South West Water to connect the wastewater network from two private sewers that were discharging sewage into Firestone Bay in Plymouth. South West Water can now confirm that this work is now complete.

Firestone Bay was designated an official bathing water by the government in May 2023 following a campaign by Mr Pollard, recognising its importance to Plymouth’s wild swimmers.

Over the last year the water company has been installing new pipework within Plymouth’s historic Royal William Yard to take wastewater flows from all of the private properties in the area for treatment.

Urban Splash – regeneration specialist and developer of Royal William Yard – offered a solution, allowing South West Water to adopt a stretch of the drainage network that runs through the site and install new pipes to serve the nearby cottages.

This £150,000 investment by South West Water will stop wastewater flows from the private system discharging into Firestone Bay and the surrounding area. It is expected the work will lead to an improvement in water quality at Firestone Bay, which is already classified as ‘Excellent’ by the Environment Agency.

Following its designation, South West Water and Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, have been working closely together to ensure that bathing water quality at Firestone Bay is protected for the future.

Built in 1825, Royal William Yard is a former Naval victualling facility. It is one of the most important groups of historic military buildings in Britain and the largest collection of Grade I Listed military buildings in Europe. Restored by Urban Splash, it is now a multi-award-winning destination and attracts over one million visitors a year – many using Firestone Bay to swim and paddleboard in. South West Water approached the design and construction of this project with sensitivity to ensure the site maintains its historic integrity.

Tom Lowry, Development Manager at Urban Splash, said: “We have always known that Firestone Bay was something special – and that became official last year when the Government designated it as a bathing water site.

“We’re pleased to have stepped in and offered a solution on site at Royal William Yard to eliminate wastewater from entering the sea at Firestone Bay – it’s a great outcome for everyone. We want this coastline to be a clean and safe environment for all, and attract even more people to this amazing area.”

Richard Price, Manager Director of Wastewater Services at South West Water, said: “We’re pleased to have completed this important project to provide wastewater services for these properties for the first time.

“This has been a real collaborative effort and we would like to thank Luke Pollard MP, Urban Splash and local residents for their support. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this work on water quality for the environment and the many people who enjoy taking to the water at Firestone Bay.”

Luke Pollard MP said: “I don’t just talk about stopping sewage. I’m proud to be taking action to stop raw sewage discharges.

“After winning the campaign to designate Devil’s Point as an official bathing water, I turned my attention to stopping the sewage discharges into this now protected piece of water.

“I want to thank South West Water for working collaboratively with local residents to help us identify the discharges from these two private sewers. I am delighted that work is now complete on connecting these private outlets to the wastewater network and stopping them from discharging into Plymouth Sound. It shows what can be achieved when we work together.”