Reservoir High Court judicial review dismissed

Opponents said the reservoir would devastate local ecology and livelihoods

A water firm can move forward with its plan to build one of the country's largest reservoirs, after a claim for a judicial review was dismissed in the High Court.

Thames Water's £2.2bn South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO), will be created near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, to cope with increasing demand and climate change.

The project will cover an area the size of Gatwick Airport and the company says it will secure supply for 15 million people.

Countryside charity CPRE Oxfordshire and water safety group Safer Waters, who brought the case to the High Court, said it would devastate local ecology and livelihoods.

They were challenging Environment Secretary Steve Reed's decision to approve the water company's Water Resource Management Plan, which includes the new 4.5 sq mile (7 sq km) reservoir.

A Thames Water spokesperson said it welcomed the verdict.

"Our plan was consulted on extensively and sets out our commitment to secure our customers' water supply for the next 50 years and beyond," they said.

"Our proposed reservoir is a critical part of this plan, with it set to provide a safe and secure water supply for 15 million people across the South East, including Thames Water, Affinity Water and Southern Water customers.

"We're also progressing plans for a vital drought resilience project in London which will be supported by water recycling and have committed to halving leakage, which is already at its lowest ever level, while supporting customers to reduce their water use."

Thames Water intends to submit an application to construct and maintain the reservoir next year.

If that is granted, it hopes to start building in 2029 with the reservoir operational from 2040.

It was designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project in June.

Derek Stork, director of Safer Waters, said: "This is far from over.

"As a small group with limited resources we're up against corporate giants, but we will continue to fight for accountability, sustainability, and a smarter approach to water management."

He said Safer Waters was lodging a preliminary appeal against the judgment to the Court of Appeal.

Lisa Warne, director of CPRE Oxfordshire, said: "We are deeply disappointed, and our concern is with the communities, landscapes, and ecosystems that stand to be profoundly affected.

"While we are not opposed to large infrastructure projects in principle, this ruling paves the way for one of the UK's most environmentally and economically questionable schemes to proceed without the rigorous public scrutiny it rightly deserves.''