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Anglian Water has confirmed the proposed location for a new £1 billion reservoir in Lincolnshire.
The company has identified a site south east of Sleaford, about halfway between Grantham and Boston as the preferred location for the reservoir, which will supply enough water for around 500,000 homes.
Last month Anglian stressed the need for the project, alongside another proposed reservoir in the Fens, to tackle a looming water deficit for the east of England, saying the “reality is stark”.
Dr Geoff Darch, Anglian’s water resources strategy manager, said: “This project will build on decades of existing investment in resilient infrastructure – like a 400km strategic pipeline which will move water from the north to the south and east of the region, existing networks of reservoirs and water storage, as well as continuing to help customers to reduce demand and driving down leakage to world leading low levels. But we know, that to keep taps running in the future, we’ll need more water storage in our region, in the form of new reservoirs.”
The newly-revealed location has not been universally welcomed, with more than 2,000 people having a signed a petition in opposition to it, citing the impact on homes, agriculture, noise pollution and claiming that the supply would go to neighbouring areas rather than Lincolnshire.
The plans, which have been in development for the past 10 years, will now go through a multi-phase consultation.
Darch added: “We think it’s right those who are potentially most affected find out first and have the opportunity to ask us any questions about what this might mean for them. We are now in contact with those who own property and live within the proposed area and who will be potentially affected by our proposals.
“We know there is wide interest in the new reservoir. The project will create a new strategic water resource to support water supply to Anglian customers. It will help secure water supplies for future generations, so we can address the challenges of a changing climate, environmental protection and population growth. Our proposals go beyond just building a new reservoir, we will create new habitats for wildlife and places for people and create great natural places to explore, and exciting new leisure facilities for people to enjoy.”
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