A couple have been given permission to demolish a dilapidated holiday home on the Broads and replace it with a new structure, despite fears it could lead to more river pollution.
Dawn and Callum Yates had sought permission to knock down the bungalow, Silsden, on Rope's Hill Dyke, behind Horning Sailing Club.
They plan to replace the structure with a one-bedroom contemporary home with views across the waterway.
However, due to ongoing problems at a nearby sewage treatment plant, known as Knacker's Woods, Broads Authority (BA) members feared the additional property could cause further problems.
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Anglian Water has blamed structural failures in the sewage network, a high water table and frequent flooding causing water to infiltrate the network, which has left the plant unable to cope with the volume of water.
It means there is a real risk of nutrients polluting important environmental habitats in the Broads.
At a planning committee meeting last week, Harry Blathwayt, highlighting these concerns, said: "Any additional pressure on it could affect the River Ant," which is the waterway the sewage works discharges into.
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Mr and Mrs Yates told members that the property would be built to high environmental standards and that a study they commissioned showed the water flow would be kept to a minimum.
"We want to make it our forever home," said Mrs Yates.
Mr Yates, who runs an engineering firm, tried persuading members he had the right credentials.
He said his company has worked as a consultant for the Royal Family, helping to make Buckingham Palace and other buildings in their estate more environmentally friendly.
Despite the concerns, it was decided that conditions could be imposed to ensure that water usage is kept to appropriate levels.
This includes installing a water meter, which could provide the BA with readings so that officers could take enforcement action on the owners if there are problems in the future.
Members voted to approve the house with nine votes for, one against and one abstention.
Mr Yates, who is from Scotland originally, assured members they would not be flippant with their water use.
"As a Scotsman, I'm not going to spend a penny I don't need to," he said.
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