PROPOSALS are in motion to give some 200 households in an East Dorset village and hamlet access to mains drainage for the first time.

Wessex Water wants to create a sewerage system in Holt and do away with the household septic tanks that hundreds of locals still have to use.

The scheme has been drawn up to stop pollution in some of the village's ditches and watercourses, such as the Moors River, caused when the septic tanks discharge their contents.

The pollution is of concern as the river is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Andrew Price, head of planning at County Hall, said: "Wessex Water proposes a series of related developments, and to provide for the first time a sewerage system in Holt.

"Properties in Holt drain to individual septic tanks, apart from those already connected to the existing East Dorset sewage treatment works at Pond Head.

"A proportion of these tanks currently discharge to ditches and drainage channels within the village which causes pollution.

"The scheme is considered to be the best long-term solution for the disposal of foul drainage in the area."

Under the plans, the existing sewage treatment works at Pond Head Farm in the village would be upgraded with new pumping stations built at March Farm and at Holt Vale Farm.

It is believed that most of the machinery would be underground, apart from some of the works at Pond Head Farm.

"There are a number of pollution problems in that area caused by leaking septic tanks," said Neil Whitehead, press spokesman for Wessex Water. The scheme will benefit 90 homes in Holt and 120 at Gaunts Common.

"We held a meeting with Holt residents which was very well attended and there was only one objector. Another meeting is planned for Gaunts Common on September 28."

Planners are recommended to give the green light to the scheme when they meet today.