'Hampshire residents deserve better': Suella Braverman slams Havant Thicket recycling scheme
She called the scheme ‘egotistical’
Suella Braverman has branded Southern Water’s plans for a water recycling scheme at Havant Thicket Reservoir “an egotistical scheme” by a company that “consistently does not listen” to residents.
The Fareham and Waterlooville MP made the comments at an open hearing held today (November 11) in Fareham, where residents, councillors and academic experts shared their views on the proposals.
In May this year, Southern Water submitted a Development Consent Order to the Planning Inspectorate, containing its plans for use of the Havant Thicket reservoir. They included the installation of a water recycling scheme which would treat waste water and turn it into potable drinking water, which would then be held in the reservoir.
However, many residents and organisations have expressed concerns about the project, and have said they do not have enough trust in Southern Water to operate the recycling technology, which would be a first of its kind in the UK.
At the open hearing, held as part of the planning process for the approval of the scheme, people from across Hampshire gave their views on the project.
Local MP for Fareham and Waterlooville, Suella Braverman, said her constituents have no confidence in Southern Water in her representation to the meeting, and asked the company to consider all other available options for ensuring water security for the area.
She said: “Local residents have made clear time and time again their opposition to these proposals and how they feel a complete lack of confidence in the ability of Southern Water to deliver the effluent replying plant safely given the company’s record-breaking fines and unjustified price hikes.
“I state my opposition to the plans on the grounds that safer alternatives exist, the lack of proper consultation with local community and the lack of safe checks that Southern Water has carried out.
“Southern Water should focus on fixing its existing infrastructure and repairing leaks that affect most people day to day. Hampshire residents deserve better than an egotistical scheme by a company that consistently does not listen to them.”
Havant resident Bianca Carr, who spoke on behalf of Save Our South Coast Alliance, said: “I am speaking today because I am concerned about the fact that not enough research has been done into this. I don’t believe that enough people know about it, or know enough to make an informed decision.
“There is a lack of trust in Southern Water. We have not got enough trust in them for this. There are a lot more hoops to jump through before we should’ve even got to this point of the process.
“If people cannot trust their tap water, imagine the plastic pollution from people buying bottled water.
“We estimate that one million people will drink this water. If just one percent of those people lose confidence in drinking tap water and buy one 2L bottle of water a day we are looking at 3.65million bottles every year. Where are they going to go?”
However, Dr Martin Burton, representing the Upper Itchen Restoration Community Interest Company, highlighted the need for alternative water sources in the South East in light of the drought suffered in the area this summer.
In his representation to the meeting, he said: “The South East is water scarce and water stressed. There are no additional sources of water available than desalination and recycling. Without substantial rainfall this winter and spring we will likely suffer another drought in 2027.
“Insufficient attention is given to the need of this project and its outcome, to alleviate the severe pressure on the Test and Itchen rivers and ground waters for water supply.”