High Court dismisses Abingdon reservoir challenge

The High Court has dismissed a claim for judicial review brought by countryside charity CPRE Oxfordshire and water safety group SAFERWaterS against the construction of a new reservoir at Abingdon.

The groups sought to challenge environment secretary Steve Reed’s approval of Thames Water’s Water Resource Management Plan, which contains provision for the new strategic reservoir to supply 15m people in the south east, without holding a public inquiry.

CPRE cited concerns about “lack of transparency, ecological risk, misleading forecasts and financial recklessness”. SAFERWaterS raised construction safety and cost as issues.

The challengers have lodged a preliminary appeal against the judgement.