West Sussex school fined over sewage plant failure

The Environment Agency prosecuted the owners of Windlesham House School for exceeding the levels of sewage allowed to be discharged at its 65-acre property.

Malden Trust Ltd, which runs the school, pleaded guilty to two offences at Haywards Heath Magistrates' Court and was fined 10,000 and ordered to pay 890 costs.

The school's annual boarding fees range from 16,470 to 19,500.

Ruth Stemp, of the Environment Agency, said: "Routine samples taken at the school showed the permitted discharge levels were over four times the required figures in June and then over 13 times the consent in September this year.

"Prosecution is always a last resort for us, but, unfortunately, the incident occurred twice, with significant breaches resulting in potential harm to groundwater in a sensitive area of the Downs."

The bursar of the school said the management deeply regretted the incidents and apologised for them.

He said the first offence had been a simple case of failure in procedures and the second offence had been caused by a breakdown of equipment.

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