Review urged over �1bn reservoir

Some local people could be forced to sell their homes

Thames Water has been told to revise "substantial parts" of its plans to build a �1bn reservoir in Oxfordshire.

The Environment Agency is calling on the company to do more to demonstrate the need for the site near Abingdon.

The reservoir would be the biggest built in the UK in 25 years and hold 150bn litres of water.

Thames Water declined to comment on the report but said the site was needed to meet demand and it was fully consulting with the public over the project.

The Environment Agency report stated: "The draft plan is not aligned with some important elements of government and Environment Agency policies and objectives surrounding metering, leakage and consumption of water."

Compulsory purchase

It also urged the firm to do more to encourage people to use water efficiently.

A 16-week consultation on Thames Water's plans began in May.

The project - which could force some people to move home - would mean customers paying more for their water to fund the scheme, or face an increased risk in hosepipe bans and water restrictions.

The reservoir, planned for farmland near Abingdon, would supply an extra 350m litres of water a day, the majority of which is needed in London.

People living between the villages of East Hanney and Steventon would be most affected by the reservoir, with the company warning of compulsory purchase orders on some homes.

If the scheme is approved construction is likely to begin in 2011 and is due to last about eight years.

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