Developers today hit back at claims that raw sewage is spilling on to the streets around a new housing estate in Hockley.

Residents living near the controversial Etheldore Avenue estate say the system needed to transfer sewage, produced by the estate, to a main sewer has broken down three times.

They have claimed that many of the 66 houses on the estate -- which cost between £275,000 and £500,000 are without sewage removal facilities and that sewage has been running down Etheldore Avenue.

Plumberow Avenue resident Pat McMorran said: "There was definitely sewage coming up on Monday afternoon, but every time we raise our concerns a different excuse is plucked out of the air."

Another resident, Ken Wickham, said: "The problems with this development just go on and on and everyone here has just had enough."

Brentwood-based Countryside Properties -- which saw annual turnover rocket 38 per cent to £387m this week strenuously denied the claims.

A spokesman said: "We can categorically say that there is no raw sewage on site.

"Obviously there has been some tension over the project from people who have environmental concerns, but we have investigated every manhole on the site and there is absolutely no evidence of any sewage."

Rochford District Council spokesman Jeanette Helson said: "People have been moaning about the development from the word go and I think that until they are all up and running people will continue to find things to moan about."

The Etheldore development has been dogged by controversy, which last year included scores of defiant eco-protesters setting up camp there.

They were angry about the alleged destruction to nearby Beckney Woods and attracted a lot of support from local residents

Published Wednesday November 28, 2001