WESSEX Water's £9 million works to upgrade sewage treatment in West Lulworth begins this month.

Three pumping stations will be built close to West Lulworth and a 9km pipeline laid to carry waste from the village to sewage treatment works at Wool.

Sewage currently goes out to sea from an outfall pipe outside Lulworth Cove.

During a series of meetings with Wessex Water, villagers had made calls for an alternative shorter route which would be less visually intrusive.

Norman Miller, chairman of the parish council, said: "What has been passed will be visible on the skyline with various buildings in full view of surrounding footpaths. It's not going to be very pretty but on the other hand this is dealing with the problem.

"It will clean up the environment immediately around the cove."

Wessex Water's improvement works are designed to allow for the growth in the catchment area to the year 2025.

An underground storm storage tank will be built at Hambury Farm and improvements made to the sewerage infrastructure in the village.

Upgrading and refurbishment of the existing sewage treatment works at Wool will also be carried out.

A Wessex Water spokesman said: "This essential scheme is scheduled for completion in 13 months. The various stages of construction have been especially phased to avoid disruption to the main tourist areas during the peak season.

"The new works have been designed to ensure they fit in with the surrounding landscape and an environmental assessment has been carried out to ensure there is no impact on any protected species or archaeology."

First published: October 14