Sewage Contamination in South Norwood Park Deemed Separate from Beaver Habitat
Croydon Council has firmly stated that an ongoing sewage pollution issue affecting a stream within South Norwood Country Park will not interfere with ambitious plans to introduce beavers into the park's lake. The contamination stems from sewage misconnections at nearby residential properties, where waste is being flushed directly into the Chaffinch Brook instead of entering proper sewer systems for treatment.
Years of Pollution and Political Frustration
The problem was first identified in mid-2024 when Thames Water conducted a survey of 474 properties in South Norwood, discovering 16 were discharging raw sewage into the brook. Investigations revealed the original developer, now in administration, had incorrectly connected these homes to a surface water drain rather than the foul sewer. While 14 properties have since been corrected, two remain misconnected—one private home and a block of eight social housing flats managed by Hyde Housing.
Local politicians have expressed significant frustration over the prolonged nature of the issue. Labour Woodside councillor Amy Foster described the delayed works as "a shocking indictment of the council's inability to hold partners to account or ensure its departments can work together effectively." Croydon East MP Natasha Irons, involved since 2024, criticised the council for dragging its feet on enforcement action.
Disputes and Delays in Resolution
Delays in addressing the Hyde Housing block are reportedly due to a financial dispute between Croydon Council's highways team and the civil engineering contractor tasked with repairs. The contractor claims the requested holding deposit is excessive compared to other local authorities. Hyde Housing maintains they are ready to begin work, including interim measures, but await council approval.
Croydon Council asserts that Hyde Housing must complete necessary licensing requirements before work can proceed, threatening enforcement action if unresolved. Information regarding the remaining private property remains scarce, with no timelines provided for completion, meaning sewage will likely continue flowing into the brook for the foreseeable future.
Broader Context of Sewage Misconnections
This issue is not isolated. The Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed last year that approximately 2,300 London homes are flushing untreated sewage into watercourses due to similar misconnections. These problems often take years to resolve due to difficulties in assigning responsibility among multiple parties.
Additionally, the Chaffinch Brook has faced other pollution sources. In 2021, a Thames Water pumping station near the park discharged untreated sewage into the brook 20 times during heavy rainfall, leading local councillors to describe sections as resembling "an open drain" with foul odours.
Rewilding Plans Proceed Despite Concerns
Earlier this year, Croydon Council announced new rewilding proposals for South Norwood Country Park, developed in partnership with urban rewilding charity Citizen Zoo. The centrepiece involves introducing a colony of Eurasian beavers to the lake area, following the success of London's first openly accessible urban beaver population in Ealing in 2023.
The council insists the polluted Chaffinch Brook is not connected to the lake designated for beavers, thus not impacting their potential habitat. Mayor Perry emphasised the project would benefit local wildlife and be a significant boost for the borough. Additional plans include reopening the park's visitor centre as an education hub after six years of closure following an arson attack in 2020.
Elliot Newton, director of rewilding at Citizen Zoo, expressed enthusiasm: "South Norwood Country Park has huge potential, and we are excited to see how this project could positively impact the local environment and community." However, with two properties still misconnected and sewage flowing, environmental concerns persist alongside the promising rewilding initiative.
