MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has accused Cotswold District Council (CDC) of failing to properly consider the impact on the sewer system if thousands of new homes are built.

And, at the same meeting where the Cotswold MP made his comments, Thames Water said that the Shorncote sewerage plant near South Cerney would not be able to cope with the 2,350 new homes planned for the Chesterton area of Cirencester.

The issue was discussed during a CDC meeting about flooding on Friday, which was chaired by Mr Clifton-Brown and attended by representatives from Thames Water and the Environment Agency.

Mr Clifton-Brown said CDC's Local Plan, which sets out where 7,500 new homes will be built by 2031, includng the Chesterton development, does not properly address the issue of sewers and flooding.

“I think this is a really serious problem," he said. "The forward planning team are not looking at this problem seriously enough.”

Mark Mathews, from Thames Water, said the company would look into proposals to expand Shornecote or build another plant, but that a significant financial contribution would be required from the developers of the new homes.

Mike Stuart, chairman of South Cerney Parish Council, echoed the point that the current sewerage system would not cope with the new homes.

“It has to go down the Shire Brook, bypass South Cerney and on to Cricklade. When we get these extra houses, we are going to be in quite a mess in 15 years,” he said.

After the meeting, CDC's cabinet member for forward planning Cllr Nicholas Parsons said it had considered the sewerage issue.

He said: "Any plans to construct houses in the area would be dependent on the upgrading of the Shorncote plant – and, indeed, any other relevant infrastructure –when detailed planning applications are submitted. "I can reassure residents that this council would not support any development that is not endorsed by the Environment Agency and Thames Water. Furthermore, we would be prepared to defend our position at appeal under such circumstances."

The Shorncote plant treats sewerage from Cirencester, Kemble, South Cerney and surrounding areas.

A planning application for the Chesterton development is expected to be submitted later this year.