High Court dismisses campaign group’s challenge to Water Resource Management Plans seeking new reservoir in Oxfordshire

Today, the High Court (Waksman J) has dismissed a legal challenge brought by the campaign groups SaferWaterS and CPRE (Oxfordshire), seeking to overturn the Secretary of State’s decision to allow Thames Water and Affinity Water to publish their Water Resource Management Plans. The Claimants alleged it was procedurally unfair, or was otherwise irrational, for the Secretary of State to allow the plans to be published without first holding a public inquiry. The High Court dismissed the argument on both grounds.

The judgment can be found here.

Matthew Henderson appeared for the Claimant, led by Lord Banner KC (Keating Chambers) and instructed by
CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP

Nick Grant appeared for the Secretary of State, led by Charles Streeten (Francis Taylor Building) and instructed by the GLD

James Maurici KC and Andrew Byass appeared for Affinity Water and Natasha Jackson dealt with consequential matters, instructed by Ian Graves at DLA Piper UK LLP