Infrastructure & Development

Between March 1920 and April 1936, 152 new properties were built in Weston Turville.

By 1936:-

Electricity was available.

Water, about two-thirds of the houses were supplied off the mains, and the remainder from wells. There has been a shortage of water at Weston Turville, where the supply was cut off for several hours each day.

But no sewers. Drainage of all properties was to cesspools. The emptying of cesspools was by horse drawn tank carts equipped with manual pumps. With the constant increase in the number of houses the Council was obliged to consider the provision of further appliances, and they came to the conclusion that rather than provide additional horses and carts it would be preferable to mechanise the whole system.

Weston Turville and the 1936 Sewerage Inquiry

(Summary based on The Bucks Herald, 3 April 1936)

In April 1936, a Ministry of Health inquiry was held at Aston Clinton Assembly Hall to examine a £52,000 sewerage and sewage disposal scheme proposed by the Aylesbury Rural District Council. The plan covered Aston Clinton, Buckland, and Weston Turville, aiming to modernise sanitation as the villages expanded.

Key Points for Weston Turville

• Population Growth: Weston Turville’s population had risen sharply (1,040 at the 1931 census and estimated at 1,301 five years later based upon new properties erected), creating pressure on outdated drainage systems. The inquiry noted that continued development made improved sewage disposal “a very difficult and urgent question.”. At the time, Weston Turville covered an area of 2,723 acres.

• Financial Impact: The scheme’s cost would lead to a 1s. 1d. increase in parish rates for Weston Turville.

• Existing Conditions: Local drains were described as inadequate, with effluent from cesspools and surface water causing pollution concerns. Weston Turville’s low-lying ground made disposal particularly challenging.

• Scheme Details:

  • A new sewer network would serve the village, connecting to a central disposal works near Aston Clinton.

  • The plan aimed to eliminate pollution in local ditches and streams, improving hygiene and reducing nuisances.

  • Engineers proposed gravity-fed sewers where possible, with pumping stations for lower areas.

• Public Reaction: While Aston Clinton residents largely supported the scheme, Weston Turville’s representatives raised concerns about cost and fairness, questioning whether the benefits justified the rate increase.

• Health and Environment: The Ministry inspector heard evidence of “appalling nuisances” from overflowing cesspools and stagnant water. The scheme was presented as essential to prevent further contamination and safeguard public health.

Outcome and Context

The inquiry concluded that the combined scheme would benefit all three parishes, despite differing local opinions. Weston Turville’s modest rate increase reflected its smaller share of the total works but acknowledged the need for modern sanitation to support future growth.