Threat of mega reservoir looms closer following approval of Thames Water’s Resource Management Plan.

The threat of the costly and poorly thought-out reservoir south of Abingdon has been brought a step closer for the people of Oxfordshire, following the Government’s approval of Thames Water’s Water Resource Management Plan (WRMP), just one week after the public consultation closed.

There are substantial and obvious flaws to Thames Water’s proposals for the 4.5sq mile reservoir, including the projection of future demand for water, while cheaper and less environmentally damaging supply options have been rejected.

Earlier this year, a Freedom of Information request revealed the Environment Agency’s advice to the Secretary of State, stating that the plan should not go ahead due to “outstanding concerns regarding costs, justification and options appraisal”. The report also said that Thames Water should “provide full details and a breakdown of its costing approach. This is particularly important as the revised draft plan indicates that SESRO is selected on cost grounds.”

A reservoir of this type on this scale has never been constructed in Europe, and possibly the world. For the project to be given the go ahead without due diligence would be irresponsible and possibly dangerous. Along with local campaign group, Group Against Reservoir Development (GARD), CPRE have called for a full public inquiry into the process and technical aspects of the plan.

GARD Chair, Derek Stork, says “It is astonishing that the Secretary of State should allow a scheme to progress to the next stage only one week after a public consultation had closed and before results had been analysed.”

Whilst this is a disappointing development, it is not the end of the road. Stork says, “The Reservoir needs final approval at Development Consent Order proceedings in 2026, and we will be contesting this project all the way.”