Proposed Reservoir

Possible Reservoir at Clay Hill

The South East Water Company has identified the area shown in blue on the above map as their preferred site for a new reservoir as part of their strategy for meeting water demands in the period up to 2030.

The proposed Clay Hill Reservoir would be able to supply, on average, an extra 18 million litres of water each day. This would be achieved by abstracting, and then storing, excess winter rainfall from the lower reaches of the River Ouse that would otherwise go out to sea. Storing the water means it can be used when needed.

The development of Clay Hill reservoir is a strategic investment by South East Water and will cost around £90 million.

Points to note include:

Implementation of this plan would completely obliterate Plashett Park Farm which currently provides habitats for an enormous variety of wildlife. Over 85 species of birds have been sighted since 2004, 9 varieties of bats have been recorded as well as numerous moths, butterflies, plants and insects .

Plashett has been farmed by the same family for more than 70 years and in that time no hedges or trees have been deliberately removed which means that those who choose to walk the footpaths around the farm can still see a unique patchwork of small fields surrounding the farmhouse and bordered on one side by Plashett Wood which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). If the reservoir was dug, miles of these hedges would be flooded as well as over 400 ancient trees. Fifty years ago there were over 40 small farmers making a living from the land in Ringmer, now there are only 5 working farms in the Village and South East Water propose to destroy 1 of them.

The Parish Council is not opposed to a new reservoir in principle but is strongly opposed to this particular site and the threat it poses to some magnificent and unspoilt landscape. It will continue to argue for any development to take place adjacent to the existing Barcombe reservoir on the west side of the A26. The Council has also been concerned that large area identified for survey work may result in an unnecessary and prolonged 'planning blight' for many adjoining property holders.

Consequently it has urged the company to redefine and reduce this area as soon as possible and make it clearer which land and properties are most likely to be at risk.

Latest News: February 2010

PLEASE help protect the Sussex countryside

Winter Storage Reservoir, Plashett Park Farm, Ringmer

18 months ago many Ringmer residents objected to South East Water's plan to create a new winter storage reservoir that would destroy this lovely but shallow valley, a former medieval deer park.

Those objections were listened to, and the minister refused to accept South East Water's plan. His main grounds reflected comments by local residents - he ruled that neither the need for the reservoir nor the suitability of the site had been established.

The threat of the reservoir has thus receded a little into the distance, but it has not gone away. South East Water's plan, still including the reservoir, will now be subject to a Public Inquiry

It would thus be very helpful if as many people as possible could email
Dawn Instone at DEFRA to say (1) that they would like to be heard at the Inquiry against the reservoir plan. Her email address is dawn.instone@defra.gsi.gov.uk A copy should also be sent to resources@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Making such a representation at this time does not commit you to actually appearing in person. A short written statement can be sent (deadline 2 March 2010) though personal appearances can carry more weight.

Inquiry Location

The public inquiry into South East Water's water management programme has been moved from Ashford to Gatwick. The inquiry, due to start in mid-May, was originally scheduled for Ashford, but following protests from Norman Baker and Ringmer councillors that it was too far from Ringmer for local residents to attend, it has now been moved to Gatwick. The inquiry is not specifically about the reservoir at Plashett Farm but about SE Water's plans to provide water up to 2035, which include the possibility of a reservoir north of Ringmer. Having said that, local campaigners believe the best chance of preventing the reservoir from happening is to attack the principle of it in the water management plan, rather than wait until it is the subject of a specific planning application.