Statement regarding SESRO from Leader of the Council

Cllr Bethia Thomas, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council said: “Although we were not party to the Judicial Review, we remain opposed to Thames Water’s proposal for the reservoir.  We submitted our response to Thames Water’s public consultation in August 2024, reaffirming our objections.

“We will continue to urge water providers, regulators and government to listen to local voices and reject these plans. The council has urged water providers to consider all the alternative solutions more seriously before committing to this reservoir. We will continue to do everything we can within our power to ensure that the voice of our community is listened to.”

Note for Editor

To the deep disappointment of the council, in 2024 the Secretary of State concluded that there is a strategic need for a new 150 Mm3 reservoir in Oxfordshire, known as the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO), with plans being developed in conjunction with Affinity Water and Southern Water.

The council has pledged to do everything it can to represent the views of residents and businesses across the district. Plans for the reservoir near Abingdon have proved controversial in the area, with some residents worried about the safety and environmental impact of the proposals, as well as concerns about the potential for increased flood risk in local watercourses.