The proposed demolition of a "redundant" HS2 filtration plant has been approved by Three Rivers District Council.

A new ultra-filtration plant was built at West Hyde Water Treatment Works for the HS2 development in response to concerns that sewage was being pumped into the nearby River Colne.

Particular attention was drawn to the issue as the Maple Cross sewage system was discharging untreated sewage into the river and upstream into pumping stations at West Hyde and Northmoor.

Despite these past problems, developers Dalcour Maclaren will now reinstate West Hyde Water Treatment Works to a "pre-Hs2 state" after an approved planning application.

West Hyde sewage treatment works.West Hyde sewage treatment works.Construction includes a new service area system and sustainable drainage equipment among other works.

The applicant also ensured that all chemical systems would be "flushed and removed" from the site prior to works commencing.

In the proposal, developers justified the demolition saying: "The West Hyde Water Treatment Works (WTW) is an operational WTW, producing clean water, and installed the ultrafiltration plant during the construction of HS2.

"During construction work on HS2 the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) and other associated activity were deemed to have a potential impact on water quality in the aquifers that feed the boreholes and are treated by Affinity Water’s WTW at West Hyde.

"As a result, additional capability upgrades, including turbidity removal assets were installed as appropriate risk mitigation measures at the Site.

"However, now that the HS2 project has progressed and the risk to water quality, caused by HS2’s tunnelling operations has reduced significantly, the decision has been made to decommission the turbidity removal assets that are no longer required, as they have become redundant."

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The West Hyde site which is currently home to the HS2 development.The West Hyde site which is currently home to the HS2 development. (Image: Dalcour Maclaren)

Currently, the HS2 development is installing 1.4 miles of track in Three Rivers District, just south of Maple Cross and near to West Hyde between a two mile viaduct over the Colne Valley and a tunnel under the Chilterns, as well as semi-permanent construction compounds.

Initial work is underway on the new high speed railway between London and Birmingham and significant local disruption is expected for at least the next 10 years.