Bristol Water has submitted a planning application for a £125M project that will see a reservoir built close to the existing Cheddar Reservoir. The new reservoir could be fully operational by 2025 and will be filled by surplus winter water that flows in Cheddar Gorge.
Cheddar Reservoir Two would be the first reservoir of this type to be built in this country for more than three decades. Arup was appointed by Bristol Water to help select a site by analysing the environment, engineering, construction, visual impact and access of 53 possible different locations. The proposed site for Cheddar Reservoir Two was chosen as a preferred solution following extensive and detailed technical studies and stakeholder consultation.
Once the site was selected, Arup supported Bristol Water with its planning application by bringing together a team of specialists in project management, town planning, public consultation, reservoir design, landscape design and environmental assessment to develop the proposals and prepare the planning application. The application was submitted to Sedgemoor District Council in December.
A decision on the planning application is expected in Spring this year.
