WORCESTER flood victims are celebrating after news that a pumping station will be built near their street.

Severn Trent's application to build a new sewerage pumping station on land at Navigation Road, Diglis, was approved by Worcester City Council's planning committee yesterday.

Residents of Waverley Street and Cavendish Street had their homes plagued by sewerage in last year's floods.

Mary Dhonau, chairman of the Worcester Action Against Floods committee, said the news is what everyone has been waiting to hear.

"It's fantastic news," said Mrs Dhonau, who lives in Waverley Street. "I'm absolutely thrilled. We've all had our fingers and toes crossed.

"I truly believe it will stop the problem of flooding by sewage.

"It will stop us having to go through the misery we've had in the past.

"This was a human rights issue. It's not acceptable to be flooded by sewage."

Senior environmental health officer Bill Saville told councillors the proposal would enable sewerage to be pumped to other stations in times of high rainfall.

Planners passed the application despite 50 letters of objection raising concerns about the loss of a gate at Jewsons on Navigation Road.

The objectors claimed this would create problems for them in walking into the Diglis Trading Estate from Worcester.

But Councillor Robert Rowden said it was only right to welcome the proposal as sewerage floating into people's homes was "completely unacceptable".

"The situation was disgusting," he said.

"People can't live with it and I'm very pleased to put the proposal for approval."

Councillor Aubrey Tarbuck told members although he "took on board" the objections, not putting the station in could be a violation of human rights.

"Severn Trent would be liable for prosecution under human rights if the situation happened again," he said. "I support this proposal wholeheartedly."

Work on the pumping station is expected to start next year and will take a year to complete.