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Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Email: comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Telephone: 01235 520202

Upper Thames Reservoir

In March 2009 Thames Water announced that its plans to build a reservoir on land between Steventon, East Hanney and Drayton will be postponed for five years and when required, the reservoir will only need to be two thirds of its original size.

The company said that factors which significantly impact on water supply and demand forecasts like the economic downturn and revisions to population forecasts had played a part in the change of heart. For more information about this announcement see below to read the press release "Vale challenge to reservoir successful".

After first revealing its plans to build a major new reservoir in the Vale, Thames Water held two sets of exhibitions about its plans. The first in 2006 was part of Thames Water’s stage one consultation related to what it could do to meet its duty for future water provision and why it believed the best place for a reservoir was in the area between Steventon, Marcham, Drayton and the Hanneys. Earlier in 2007 Thames Water held further exhibitions as part of its stage two consultation about the design and after use of the proposed reservoir. The Council gave feedback to Thames Water on both its stage one and stage two consultations, including detailed questions about what is being proposed. Thames Water's response to the Vale's stage one questions can be downloaded from the right of the page.

As part of the response to Thames Water's stage two consultation, the Council commissioned reports from specialist consultants PLC with regards to the leisure and recreation impact, and the Landscape Partnership with regards to the landscape and visual impact. These two documents can be downloaded from the right of the page.

During the summer of 2008 Thames Water consulted on its statutory Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP), which sets out how it will meet the demand for water for the next 25 years. If approved by Government the plan will be finalised and published next year. The Council understands that an inquiry or hearing into the WRMP could be held before it is finalised, although the decision on whether or not to hold an inquiry will rest with the Secretary of State at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). It was in response to consultation on its Draft Water Resources Management Plan that Thames Water announced the delay to its plans. Thames Water's statement of response on its WRMP can be read in full on its website.

Whenever Thames Water submits a planning application it will need to be accompanied by an Environmental Statement prepared in accordance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations.  For more details see our page EIA Scoping Report, where sections of the document can be downloaded.

In August 2009 it was confirmed that the Secretary of State Hillary Benn had called for a public inquiry into Thames Water's plans  It has since been confirmed that the inquiry will begin on 15 June - details about this can be found on our page Thames Water's WRMP's public inquiry. 

For more information see the following pages: 

Let us know your views

The Vale wants to gather the views of people across the District. This will include seeking the views of parish and town councils and an invitation to the public to pass on their views.

You can do this via email to: vale.reservoir@whitehorsedc.gov.uk

Please note, unless you advise us otherwise, your email address will be retained for the purpose of further consultation on the reservoir.

OR

In writing to:
Reservoir
Freepost OF 1768
Vale of White Horse District Council
Abingdon
OX14 3BR

Alternatively, you can hand deliver correspondence to our Local Service Points in Abingdon.

More detailed consultation, including surveys and workshops, are planned by the Vale for the further stages. Further details will be placed on the website, in Vale Views and through announcements in the press.

Any Questions?

If you have any questions about the District Council’s role, please contact us via email to vale.reservoir@whitehorsedc.gov.uk or by telephone on 01235 540376.  
 
You can contact Thames Water in a number of ways: