People asked for their say on £100m Havant Thicket Reservoir project

Portsmouth Water, which is spearheading the project with Southern Water, wants residents views on Havant Thicket Reservoir.

The project aims to sustain future water supplies and create a wetland beauty spot to support threatened species of birds.

A month-long public consultation on the project gets under way on May 11 and runs until June 8. All the responses received will help shape the planning application for the new reservoir, which is due to be submitted later this year to Havant Borough Council and East Hampshire District Council.

Portsmouth Water has decided to go ahead with the consultation after discussions with the councils amid the coronavirus outbreak. A range of channels, including online, phone and post, will facilitate the process by helping people find out more and share their feedback.

The consultation will include information on what is being proposed for the reservoir’s design, a visitor centre, the preferred routes for an access road and route for a new pipeline for the reservoir to be filled and emptied.

Details on plans to enhance the environment and support wildlife will also be available.

Bob Taylor, Portsmouth Water chief executive officer, said: ‘Havant Thicket Reservoir is a vital part of the south east-wide regional plan to safeguard future water supplies in the face of population growth, climate change and the need to take less water from the environment, in order to benefit nature.

‘Although we’ve already consulted extensively with local communities, with the feedback we received very much shaping our thinking, I would encourage everyone to take part in our formal public consultation.’

During the consultation, a digital exhibition will be available online at www.portsmouthwater.co.uk/new-reservoir/, setting out full details of the reservoir project, including videos and an interactive brochure.

For a printed brochure telephone 02392 449084.

Webinar session dates and times are as follows:

• Saturday May 16, 2pm-4pm

• Tuesday May 19, 10am-12pm

• Friday May 22, 10am-12pm

• Wednesday June 3, 2pm-4pm

• Thursday June 4, 6pm-8pm.

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