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.

Details of the draft plan for Clay Hill Reservoir can be found at:

www.southeastwater.co.uk/environment/clayhill.asp

Latest News: August 2009

Public inquiry on reservoir plan

The environment secretary Hilary Benn has today ordered a public inquiry into South East Water's resource management plans, the plans which include a proposal to build a reservoir at Plashett Park Farm north of Ringmer. The inquiry is another setback for the idea of a reservoir, which has been opposed by villagers, local councillors and the MP Norman Baker. Although the public inquiry doesn't mean a reservoir definitely won't be built, the fact that South East Water is among just three of 21 water companies which have not received government approval for its plans suggests government unease with the way the company wants to find sufficient water supplies.

The proposals have been made by SE Water as part of its requirement to devise a strategy to ensure enough water supplies exist until at least 2035. The company believes it won't have sufficient water to supply its area by 2017 so

wants more reservoir capacity. District councillors Chris Bowers and Peter

Gardiner, and county councillor Rosalyn St Pierre have all had face-to-face meetings with SE Water (as have some parish councillors), at which they have made the point that a reservoir cannot be seriously considered until SE Water has done much more to reduce demand for water and reduce its leakage rate. SE Water believes 16% leakage is acceptable, while councillors say Southern Water's 10% rate ought to be the benchmark.

Source - Ringmer News Service Article dated 4-08-09