Portsmouth Water’s insensitive behaviour has shaken confidence Letter of the day
There have been over 75 public objections against the Portsmouth Water planning application for the £120m Havant Thicket Reservoir development.
Many have objected to the loss of ancient woodland on land owned by the company, which is designated under Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation. Whether the application is approved hinges on three words,
‘wholly exceptional reasons’. The National Planning Policy Framework lays down solid principles for local planning authorities that, ‘development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists….’
In its consultee comments, Natural England – the statutory body responsible for conserving the natural environment
– has made it clear that it expects the local planning authorities to fully explore whether there are wholly exceptional reasons for the need for the reservoir, and that alternative solutions have been fully explored.
The submitted documents illuminate that Portsmouth Water made an attempt to have three woodland blocks removed from the Ancient Woodland Inventory and that Natural England refused the request.
WILDLIFE
New water resources are undoubtedly needed due to a rising population in the South East, climate change and need to protect internationally rare chalk rivers. However, my confidence in Portsmouth Water has been shaken by its insensitive behaviour and after examining the professional consultee comments, I am no longer sure of the case for the reservoir.
Stewart Luck Hurst Green Close, Cowplain