South-west of Abingdon – Strategic Water Reservoir Project

South East Strategic Reservoir Option

Section 48 Planning Act 2008

Regulation 4 of the Infrastructure Planning

(Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009

Notice is hereby given that Thames Water Utilities Ltd of Clearwater Court Vastern Road Reading, RG1 8DB (‘the Applicant’) intends to submit an application to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs under Section 37 of the Planning Act 2008 for development consent (‘the Application’) for the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) Project (‘the Project’).

The Project would include the following water and non-water infrastructure:

• A fully bunded 150 million metres cubed (Mm3) raw (untreated) water storage reservoir;

• A new pumping station;

• A conveyance tunnel to transfer flows between the reservoir and pumping station;

• A conveyance tunnel to transfer flows from the pumping station to the River Thames;

• A new intake/outfall structure on the River Thames from which the Project would abstract water to be stored in the reservoir and potentially form a future Severn to Thames Transfer (“STT”) project;

• A new water treatment works (“WTW”) in the vicinity of the reservoir to facilitate the Thames to Southern Transfer (“T2ST”) project and associated pipework;

• A new main access road into the reservoir site from A415 Marcham Road;

• Diversion of the existing East Hanney to Steventon Road;

• Minor improvements to highways outside of the reservoir site including the A34 Marcham Interchange;

• Temporary rail sidings during construction;

• Provision for the Wilts and Berks Canal, to be provided as a water channel to allow for future provision of operational features such as locks;

• Public access, new active travel provision, parking, recreational facilities and public education facilities and buildings;

• Biodiversity habitat, priority areas for biodiversity and landscaping works;

• New recreational lakes;

• Watercourse diversions and associated areas to provide for flooding and ground water drains encircling the reservoir and associated floodplains;

• Provision of renewable energy infrastructure including floating solar, ground mounted solar and hydroelectric turbines. In addition, potential for grid connection infrastructure that is assumed to be included at this stage to reflect potential development needs which may come forward as part of the Project; and

• Other associated  and ancillary development.

The Project is vital infrastructure designed to provide a reliable and sustainable source of water for millions of customers served by Thames Water, Affinity Water, and Southern Water in Oxfordshire and the wider South East region. Located approximately 5km south-west of Abingdon in Oxfordshire, the reservoir and strategic inter-company water transfers will play a pivotal role in strengthening the region’s resilience to climate change, population growth, and drought risk. SESRO is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development as defined in the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017. As such, the Applicant has prepared a Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR), which will inform consultation and the production of a final Environmental Statement.

Consultation on the Project will take place from 28 October 2025 to 13 January 2026. The Applicant will make available the PEIR, a non-technical summary (NTS) of the PEIR, a consultation booklet, Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC) and other documents, plans and maps showing the nature and location of the Project.

From the start of the consultation these documents and information will be available to view and download free of charge via the consultation website at thames-sro.co.uk/SESRO/statcon2025. The consultation documents and information will all be available for at least the duration of the statutory consultation period.

Printed copies of the consultation documents can be viewed free of charge at a number of local libraries. Printed consultation brochures and feedback forms will also be available to collect free of charge from these locations. The Project website at thames-sro.co.uk/SESRO/statcon2025 includes details of these library locations and opening hours.

From 28 October 2025, the Applicant will post out printed copies of the brochure and feedback form free of charge (one set per household) on request. Printed copies of all consultation documents may also be requested although there may be a charge for this, up to a maximum of £200.00 (including VAT and packaging).

The Applicant is hosting the following in-person public information events:

The Applicant will also be hosting two online information events which require registration in advance. All online information events will present the same information and details of how to register can be found on the Project website at thames-sro.co.uk/events.

From 28 October 2025, the Applicant encourages consultees to give feedback on the Project in one of the following ways:

• Fill in the online feedback form, accessible via the consultation website at thames-sro.co.uk/SESRO/statcon2025;

• Email our dedicated consultation response email address at SESRO@ipsos.com;

• Fill in one of our printed feedback forms, which are available from one of our seven public information events, from locations within the community, or by requesting that one is posted to you by the Project team. Completed printed Feedback forms may be posted free of charge to FREEPOST SESRO CONSULTATION.

Pre-printed envelopes with the FREEPOST address are available where there are printed feedback forms. No stamp is needed;

• Write to us free of charge at FREEPOST SESRO CONSULTATION.

All feedback must be received in writing by 11:59pm on 13 January 2026.

For further information please contact the Project team at info.SESRO@thameswater.co.uk or leave us a message on our dedicated Project freephone line at 0800 033 6677.

Please note that representations received and any accompanying personal data, such as the names of persons over 18, may be made public. Those not wishing their personal information to be made public should state so when submitting their representation. Responses and personal data may be provided to the Secretary of State, the Planning Inspectorate or other relevant statutory authorities in accordance with the requirements of the Planning Act 2008. To find out about how we will manage your personal data please refer to our Privacy Notice at www.thameswater.co.uk/legal/privacy-notice.