Published: 26 May 2026
People matter: together we have a voice.
SESRO / White Horse Reservoir does not have planning permission; Thames Water will not put in their application for a Development Consent Order until November 2026 at the earliest.
Before this the battle is at the moment concentrating on the politicians. On 12th May, the regulator, Ofwat’s agency RAPID, issued their final decisions on the ‘Gate 3’ milestone SESRO report submissions after considering comments on their draft from GARD, Oxfordshire County Council and others. Whilst their final decisions are not as strong as we would like, they nevertheless have demanded many priority actions from Thames Water for completion in the months ahead. Thames Water must carry out further work on the following: “risks of further cost escalation – how secure is the new cost; biodiversity and protected species; archaeology, water quality; flood risk; dam safety and whether the reservoir still represents the best-value option compared with alternatives (especially the Severn Thames Transfer option).” The key is to make these actions stick and our MPs, led by Olly Glover are meeting Ofwat in early June to press home our requests on this set of actions.
On a twin track, there was unanimous condemnation from GARD, CPRE and Oxfordshire councils at all levels that Thames Water’s January pre-DCO consultation was totally inadequate, with serious issues being either swept under the carpet with vague future commitments (flooding risk, traffic noise and pollution, risk of Dam Breach) or completely ignored (water quality dangers from the reservoir). At the Vale of White Horse District Council’s Annual Meeting on 13th May, Council agreed to take this further by passing unanimously a motion requesting the Planning Inspectorate to demand seven Targeted Consultations from Thames Water about the issues of : Flood risk, Dam Breach risks; Emergency drawdown risks; Water Quality in the reservoir and environment; Biodiversity effects of the new enlarged project; Construction and construction traffic effects; and Security issues against terrorist threats
‘Targeted consultations’ are a tool in the Planning Law to hold further consultation on the facts of a particular issue before an application for a DCO is lodged. In principle this is a very strong move by the Vale of White Horse District Council, but will need work to make stick. We are very grateful for Councillors Andy Cooke (Drayton) and Peter Stevens (Sutton Courtenay) for proposing the motion and for the very forceful speeches in support delivered by Councillors Sally Wightman (Steventon and Hanneys) and Sarah James (Hendreds). GARD will alert people to any Targeted Consultations launched.
CAMPAIGNING: GARD will be at Q Gardens and Millets between 9.30 and 4pm on the days below, talking to the public, distributing leaflets, getting our petition signed, recruiting members. Feel free to join and support us.
| Sunday 31st May
MILLETS |
Wednesday 3rd June
Q GARDENS |
Saturday 6th June
Q GARDENS |
Wednesday 10th June
MILLETS |
Thanks to all who are volunteering to deliver leaflets round the area.
JOIN GARD and work towards a full opposition at the DCO hearings early next year. We can show them that democracy works – three MPs, Oxfordshire County Council, the two District Councils, the town and parish councils: all these oppose the Reservoir plans.
Add your name to the list of GARD members and be part of that opposition. The joining link is on the website: Group Against Reservoir Development | GARD. You can also find a link there to donate to GARD – we need funds to fight a DCO!
Come forward and volunteer – we shall be delivering leaflets to all the affected villages and we are planning events too. There are jobs small and large, active and more routine. Please get in touch at gard.secretary@gmail.com 07773 029409
Show that people matter. Join GARD to stop the Reservoir.
Advance notice of the AGM: this will be on FRIDAY 3rd JULY 2026
Derek Stork June 2026