A Public Inquiry into Thames Water’s Water Resources Management Plan has closed. The Plan is Thames Water’s strategic plan for the next 25 years and addresses how the company proposes to balance supply and demand during that period. The content of the Plan is of particular significance to the preparation of the Water Supply National Policy Statement and therefore large scale water supply infrastructure which features in the Plan is likely to be carried forward to the NPS. The Inquiry was one of the first of its kind under s 37B Water Industry Act 1991.

Thames Water’s Plan was particularly controversial because it includes the construction of a large reservoir in the Upper Thames valley near Abingdon. The reservoir proposal is opposed by the relevant local authorities and by local residents.  The Environment Agency also appeared at the Inquiry and objected to various aspects of the Plan. The Inquiry has therefore received extensive coverage in the national media:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-10996972

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/7826799/Protests-at-plans-for-biggest-reservoir-in-the-South-East.html

The Inspectors are expected to report to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in November.

Nathalie Lieven QC and Richard Turney appeared at the Inquiry for the Group Against Reservoir Development.
Matthew Reed appeared for Oxfordshire County Council and the Vale of White Horse District Council.

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