Shropshire Walkers Crisps supplier reveals reservoir plan

Oaklands Farm in Pitchford grows thousands of tonnes of potatoes (generic image)

A farm that grows potatoes for Walkers Crisps has revealed proposals for a reservoir to help combat the effects of climate change.

Oaklands Farm, in Shropshire, which grows more than 23,000 tonnes for the firm, said the facility would provide long-term water security.

The facility, in Pitchford, measuring about 100m (328ft) by 70m (229.7ft), would be on existing arable land.

The proposed site had minimal ecological interest, the farm said.

Plans submitted to Shropshire Council were found not to need prior approval.

The farm also grows 4,000 tonnes of potatoes for Kettle Foods, plus a variety of cereals and other crops across a total of 4,000 acres of agricultural farmland.

The application's planning statement said the proposal would enable "the applicants to be adequately prepared for irrigation requirements" in 2024, given the "unpredictable" climate conditions in recent years.

The reservoir would fill "naturally through the collection of rainwater" and "pumping from existing sources", it added.

'Hidden from view'

The statement said: "The harvested water will be used as a reserve for irrigation of the cropped ground, should it be required due to unpredictable weather conditions, including droughts, as starting to be experienced more extremely over the past years.

"Crops such as potatoes are especially susceptible."

The site was well away from public land or highways and there were no public footpaths nearby, the application added.

It was considered the reservoir would be hidden "from public views" and it was also proposed to restore a pond, it added.

Applicant J R O Griffiths said to align with Walkers Crisps' efforts to encourage environmental enhancements it was aiming to test zero planting methods and soil improvement.

Various environmental working practices and robotics for the optimum growth and harvesting of potatoes, are also being tested.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.