A group of residents in a Moray village are kicking up a stink about the state of their local sewers.
Villagers in Garmouth believe the local sewage system, which was built in 1954, is no longer up to the job.
Scottish Water put a temporary halt to all house building in Garmouth in 2004 due to concerns that the system was too old and could not cope.
However, three years later the agency decided to lift its objections to development – despite the concerns of local residents.
David Mackay, secretary of the Garmouth and Kingston Amenities Association, has questioned why the ban was lifted.
He said: “We’re not against house building in the village – far from it.
“However, there are very real concerns that the sewage system is already struggling to cope.
“We belive the system needs overhauling properly, rather than continually being repaired.”
Outline planning permission has since been granted for 10 new homes to be built on the Mosstodloch Road section of the village.
In addition, Scottish Water has stated in correspondence with the village association that the system could “be expected to take approximately 75 additional properties before it reached its capacity”.
This figure, say residents, goes specifically against another statement made recently by the agency.
Scottish Water is not objecting to a current planning application to build a house on Spey Street.
However, the agency has added that it cannot guarantee the property will be connected to the existing sewage system as “there is limited capacity to serve this new demand.”
Speaking last night, a Scottish Water spokesman said: “There are no capacity issues at the waste water treatment works which serves Garmouth so no investment is planned at the facility.
“We acknowledge there is local concern over the number of houses which have recently connected to the sewerage system in the area.
“As a result, a thorough review of current capacity will be completed prior to permission being granted for any further connections to ensure there is capacity.”