A £15m upgrade to the wastewater network around Pannal and south-west Harrogate is intended to support future housing growth, with Yorkshire Water confirming that the work is currently expected to finish in autumn 2027.
The scheme includes 5km of new sewer pipes, two wastewater pumping stations and two storage tanks providing an additional 2,000 cubic metres of capacity to hold excess wastewater and rainwater during periods of bad weather.
Yorkshire Water has confirmed to The Harrogate Informer that the investment is entirely to accommodate future growth, rather than being a response to existing problems with the network.
Yorkshire Water, said the additional storage capacity had been designed into the new system to provide an extra layer of environmental protection in advance of that growth.
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water, said: The investment is entirely to accommodate future growth, and the additional storage capacity has been designed as part of the new system to pre-emptively provide a layer of environmental protection.
Infrastructure for planned housing growth
The project is designed to support more than 2,000 new homes planned for south-west Harrogate over the next 12 years. Planning permissions are already in place for the developments, according to information supplied by Yorkshire Water.
The new sewer will run from Harlow Hill wastewater pumping station, near the entrance to RHS Garden Harlow Carr, to Harrogate South wastewater treatment works. It is intended to carry wastewater flows from homes and businesses and reduce pressure on the existing network.
Two new wastewater pumping stations will help transport flows to treatment sites, while the storage tanks will provide capacity for up to two million litres of excess wastewater and rainwater.
During periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall, combined sewer networks can reach capacity and discharge through storm overflows. The additional storage is intended to hold excess flows and allow them to be sent for treatment when capacity in the network returns to normal levels.
Yorkshire Water has not provided figures quantifying the expected reduction in storm overflow discharges or other environmental improvements resulting from the scheme.
Yew Tree Lane works form part of the project
Work in and around Pannal began in April 2026, Yorkshire Water confirmed. The recent announcement about work affecting the outdoor space at a primary school and the closure of Yew Tree Lane was an update on the ongoing project.
The Yew Tree Lane closure is needed to allow the final section of the 5km sewer pipework to be installed.
The project is being delivered with contract partner Mott MacDonald Bentley and forms part of Yorkshire Water’s wider £8.3bn improvement programme, which the company describes as its largest investment in infrastructure, customer experience and the environment.
Yorkshire Water says it will contact residents about any impacts as the project progresses, with local landowners and stakeholders also contacted directly.
The overall scheme is currently expected to be completed in autumn 2027.