Abingdon, Oxfordshire – Community Consultation for Proposed Reservoir Project

South East Strategic Reservoir Option

Notice publicising a Statement of Community Consultation

in accordance with Section 47(6) of the Planning Act 2008

The project

Thames Water Utilities Ltd of Clearwater Court, Vastern Road, Reading, RG1 8DB (‘the Applicant’) is proposing to develop 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, on-structure solar and hydroelectric turbines. In addition, potential for ground mounted solar that is assumed to be included at this stage to replace the existing solar farm that would be lost as a result of the Project; and

• Other associated and ancillary development.

The Project is of a size and nature 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 inter-regional company water transfers will play a pivotal role in strengthening the region’s resilience to climate change, population growth, and drought risk.

The Applicant intends to submit an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under the Planning Act 2008 (‘the Act’). The Project 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.

Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC)

The Applicant is required to consult the local community on the Project, under Section 47 of the Act. The Applicant has prepared a Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC), which explains how people living in the vicinity of the Project will be consulted. The consultation process is designed to provide information on the Project, through the PEIR and other documents, plans and maps, and give the local communities the opportunity to have their say on the Project.

The Applicant has consulted with Oxfordshire County Council, South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council in the development of the SoCC and the approach to the consultation process. This notice provides formal notification of the publication of the SoCC, which can be viewed at http://www.thames-sro.co.uk/SESRO. Printed copies of the SoCC will be available to view free of charge at a number of local libraries from 28 October 2025 as set out in the table included in this notice.

The consultation process

Consultation on the project will take place from 28 October 2025 to 13 January 2026. The Applicant will be hosting a series of in-person and online public information events during November 2025. To find out more about these events visit http://www.thames-sro.co.uk/events.

All consultation materials will be available to view, free of charge, during the consultation period online at http://www.thames-sro.co.uk/SESRO/statcon2025. Members of the community will be able to view printed copies of the consultation documents free of charge at a number of local libraries which are set out below. Printed consultation brochures and feedback forms will also be available to collect free of charge from these locations.

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 the consultation documents can also be requested, although there will be a charge for this, up to a maximum of £200 (including VAT, postage and packing). Visit thames-sro.co.uk/SESRO/statcon2025 from 28 October 2025 for details.

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

• Fill in the online feedback form, accessible via the consultation website at http://www.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 consultation feedback must be received by 11:59pm on 13 January 2026.

For further information or assistance on this project and how you can be involved in the consultation process, 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 www.thameswater.co.uk/legal/privacy-notice