Campaigners have called for a judicial review to examine plans for a giant reservoir near Abingdon.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and Safer Waters, formerly Group Against Reservoir Development (GARD), have called for a judicial review of the Government’s decision to approve Thames Water's South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) without a public inquiry.

The reservoir, which would be situated south west of Abingdon, would produce up to 270 million litres of water per day, providing additional water supplies to 15m people.

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It is set to nearly be as big as Gatwick Airport and has faced repeated local opposition.

The £2.2bn reservoir reservoir project has been a contentious issue for more than 15 years.

The scheme, approved in August by Environment Secretary Steve Reed, is the second attempt to get the reservoir built.

An earlier scheme two-thirds the size of this latest project was thrown out in 2011.

(Image: Thames Water) Local MPs, local councils and more than 4,500 people from across the south east have opposed the giant reservoir being jointly developed by Thames Water, Affinity Water and Southern Water.

The CPRE and Safer Waters say they are now taking legal action to challenge this decision in the hope a judicial review will lead to a public inquiry.

Dr Derek Stork, chairman of Safer Waters, said: “We have been left with no choice but to issue a call for judicial review of the Government’s decision not to allow the people of Oxfordshire to be heard.

"This is not about the validity of the reservoir at this stage, but instead about the new Government’s failure to follow due process and hold a public inquiry.

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"After all the sub-regional MPs, all local authorities, and more than 4,500 people had opposed the plans by Thames Water and partners, there was a clear right next step: a public inquiry. We hope that we are given leave to be heard.”

Lisa Warne, director of CPRE Oxfordshire, said: “It cannot be right that Steve Reed MP is allowed to approve a new 150 million cubic metre reservoir near Abingdon without hearing from the MPs, local authorities, and more than 4,500 people who have opposed the project.

"A public inquiry is the correct process, and we are hopeful that the call for the Judicial Review is successful, and will get us back into the position to start an inquiry and for due process to resume.”

(Image: Oxford Mail) Olly Glover, MP for Didcot and Wantage said: “Local Liberal Democrats have long called for proper transparency and rigorous scrutiny of decision making around Thames Water’s plans for a mega-reservoir near Abingdon.

“Given their shoddy record on sewage, and the dismal state of their finances, local residents have no faith in Thames Water to properly deliver such a huge project. We welcome any opportunity for local residents to have their concerns heard."

Thames Water has been asked to comment.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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