Ed Vaizey: 'Inquiry a must'

COMMUNITY leaders have rejected Thames Water's case for a £1bn reservoir near Abingdon.

The Vale of White Horse District Council said Thames Water's draft water resources management plan failed to provide a 'compelling and unequivocal' case for the reservoir at Steventon.

The 900-page report, published in May, sets out how the company is going to meet demand for water over the next 25 years.

But at an extraordinary general meeting, the council unanimously voted the company had not proved with its arguments that a reservoir was needed.

Council leader Tony de Vere said: "The problem with their report is at every stage we found their analysis still wanting. It takes a very pessimistic view which doesn't justify the need for a reservoir."

The council's report into the plan said Thames Water - which wants the reservoir running by 2021 - had overstated how much water would be needed in 25 years.

It had concerns over the company's forecasts and assumptions and said other water supply options should be considered again, including reusing waste water and the development of a smaller reservoir on a number of possible sites.

The report said the outcome of on-going research had to be be considered by the water company too.

A spokesman for Thames Water said its draft plan identified a water deficit of 600m litres per day by 2035.

She said: "Our draft plan sets out a package of measures to rectify this deficit, including future major restrictions in leakage, universal metering and substantial gain in water efficiency.

"But these measures will not be sufficient to bridge the gap.

"We will also require additional sources of water including a major reservoir to supply Swindon, Oxfordshire and London by 2020."

All responses to the plan must be sent to the Government before August 27, which will decide whether to hold a public inquiry or hearing before the final plan is published in July 2009.

Mr de Vere said: "I believe it's absolutely essential this matter is dealt with by a public inquiry process.

"I would be very disappointed if a government minister went ahead without hearing the detailed arguments of local people and proper representation from councils."

He added: "This council will remain resolute and scrutinise whatever Thames Water throws at us."

Nick Thompson, chairman of GARD - the Group Against Reservoir Development - said he was pleased the council recognised the "inadequacies" of Thames Water's report.

He said at the meeting: "If we thought an Abingdon reservoir was needed, we wouldn't oppose it. Our arguments are not 'Nimbyism' but technical."

Ed Vaizey, MP for Wantage and Didcot, said: "I have already demanded the Secretary of State gives us a full public inquiry on these issues and I will be raising the issue in Parliament upon our return from recess."

If the reservoir remains in Thames Water's plan, the company is likely to submit a planning application in early 2010.