Home / Environment / £7.5bn Reservoir Plan Moves to Planning Application
£7.5bn Reservoir Plan Moves to Planning Application
13 May
Summary
- New White Horse Reservoir to serve 15 million people in south east England.
- Project cost estimated at £7.5 billion, funded by customer bills.
- Construction-ready target is 2029, with operational hopes from 2040.
Plans for the significant White Horse Reservoir, located near Abingdon in Oxfordshire, are progressing to the formal planning application phase. This ambitious project, formerly known as the South East Strategic Reservoir Option, is designed to ensure water resilience for an estimated 15 million individuals residing in the south east of England. The initiative is considered a crucial component of national water infrastructure, with an estimated cost of £7.5 billion.
Regulators' Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) has marked this advancement as a key milestone. Projections indicate a substantial water shortfall exceeding two billion litres daily by 2055, which the White Horse Reservoir aims to mitigate. The reservoir is expected to cover approximately 7 sq km, comparable in size to Gatwick Airport. Customers of Thames Water, Affinity Water, and Southern Water will collectively fund the project via their utility bills.
While the scheme has garnered support for its necessity in ensuring future water supplies, it has also encountered opposition. Local environmental groups sought a judicial review, citing concerns over ecological impact and livelihoods, though this was dismissed. The project is targeted for construction readiness by 2029, with an operational start anticipated around 2040, following its renaming in January to better reflect local heritage.
