Background
In order to fill the Havant Thicket Winter Storage Reservoir with water a pipeline must be constructed from the Havant & Bedhampton Springs to the reservoir site. The company has taken on board local resident’s feedback from the public consultation exercise in 2008 and ensured that;
Where practical the proposed pipeline route will run through the open space alongside the Hermitage Steam & Riders Lane Stream
Every effort has been made to avoid the main roads through Bedhampton and Leigh Park
Every effort has been made to avoid private gardens and allotments
A route has been selected which minimises the environmental impact
The pipeline is likely to be constructed in most areas by normal trenching techniques. The top of the pipe will be buried at least 900mm below ground level. Only short sections of the trench would be excavated at any one time to help minimise local disruption to residents and traffic. The ground surface and any planting will be reinstated upon completion of the construction to restore the existing land use.
To view a map of the pipeline route click here
To open up and print a summary of information on the pipeline route click here
Your questions answered about the pipeline
1. Why have you asked Havant Borough Council to allocate a pipeline route for the reservoir now?
Securing a viable pipeline route through Bedhampton and Leigh Park is fundamental to the delivery of the Havant Thicket Winter Storage Reservoir (HTWSR). The only way to secure a viable pipeline route and prevent future development along the route is to ask the Council to safeguard the route within their long-term Allocation Plan.
The reservoir is allocated as a Strategic Site for the development of a water resource and provision of green infrastructure in the adopted Havant Borough Council Local Plan (Core Strategy, March 2011 http://www.havant.gov.uk/havant-7154).
An essential part of the infrastructure required to complete this strategic development is the proposed pipeline route, and this is referred to in the Core Strategy policy. It is therefore sensible to protect or safeguard the proposed route, which is essential to the development of the reservoir. Havant Borough Council (HBC) propose to include a safeguarding policy in their forthcoming Local Plan (Allocations) document.
The Local Plan (Allocations) is currently being prepared by the Council and there will be various opportunities to provide feedback and comments throughout the production process. For further information and updates on the HBC Allocations Plan progress please visit the Council’s dedicated webpage through the following link: http://www.havant.gov.uk/havant-12262
2. What is the pipeline for?
A pipeline is required to pump surplus water from the Havant and Bedhampton Springs north to fill the reservoir. The same pipeline will carry water back to the springs to link in with the existing company supply and treatment infrastructure. Without the pipeline there can be no reservoir, as the small water courses which drain into the reservoir site could not supply enough water to fill the reservoir. In addition, the pipeline will be designed to accommodate emergency drawdown water from the reservoir, in the very unlikely event that this was ever necessary.
3. When will the pipeline be constructed?
Construction of the pipeline is a long way off. Based on the current programme for delivery of the reservoir by 2035, set out in the company Water Resource Management Plan (2011), pipeline construction would not commence until 2030.
Construction would not commence until planning permission for the reservoir has been granted by both Havant Borough Council and East Hants District Council. The development of the reservoir would then be phased over a period of approximately 10 years. A typical time line for construction of a reservoir might be as follows;
Year 1 & 2 - Early preparatory and detailed design work (e.g. Habitat creation, enhancement and species relocation)
Year 3 & 4 - Site preparation (e.g. Construction of the site access road from the north)
Year 5 to 8 – The main construction phase would include excavation of clay to construct the reservoir embankments. The pipeline would need to be constructed to ensure it is available in year 8.
Year 9 & 10 – Reservoir filling and commissioning. Water would be pumped up from the Springs while landscaping and construction of the recreational facilities takes place.
The timescale for delivery of the reservoir is reviewed every five years in conjunction with the company Water Resource Management Plan. Portsmouth Water remains confident that the provision of a reservoir at Havant Thicket provides a robust, sustainable and cost effective part of the solution to meeting the increasing demands on our water supply in the medium to long-term.
4. How big will the pipe be?
It will be a large pipe. The exact size will not be known until the detailed design is undertaken in the year prior to construction. Based on the work undertaken to date it is envisaged that the pipe diameter will be between 700 to 1600mm (2’4” to 5’4”). The diameter of the pipe will be largest along the northern section of the route.
5. How deep below the ground will the pipe be?
The pipeline is likely to be constructed in most areas by normal trenching techniques. The top of the pipe will be buried at least 900mm below ground level. Only short sections of the trench would be excavated at any one time to help minimise disruption to local residents and traffic. The ground surface and any planting will be reinstated upon completion of the construction to restore the existing land use.
6. How wide is the pipeline easement that you have asked the Council to allocate?
A 10m wide easement needs to be protected from future development along the proposed route of the pipeline. This is to allow for construction and future maintenance of the pipeline.
The Company has also requested that an additional 5m wide buffer zone be safeguarded either side of the route, where any developer would need to consult Portsmouth Water regarding any planned development, to ensure that there is no conflict in the future. A flexible approach to the safeguarded areas would be taken where practical and appropriate.
7. How was the route selected?
In 2008 four different pipeline routes through Bedhampton and Leigh Park were included in a public consultation regarding the reservoir site proposals. There was a clear preference from the public (77%) for the pipeline to be constructed along the ‘red’ route that largely followed alongside the Riders Lane and Hermitage Streams, since it would limit disruption locally, especially to road traffic, and potentially provide opportunities for improvements to the open space in terms of access and amenity. The Company have taken on board this feedback and undertaken further investigation work to identify a viable pipeline route which where practical follows the open space along the stream corridor. Following concerns expressed during the consultation about the pipeline passing through woodland at Great Copse, an alternative route has been identified, to minimise the environmental impact.
Factors taken in to account when identifying the proposed route have included; the width of the open space alongside the stream and the potential ecological impacts, avoiding private gardens wherever possible, proximity to existing services (gas pipes, sewers etc), engineering constraints, potential environmental impacts, including issues such as the likely disruption that would be caused by the work. Many different routes along the stream corridor have been considered and the Company believe that the route proposed provides the most viable engineering solution, which minimises the potential impact on the environment and the majority of local residents. Given the feedback from local residents during the public consultation every effort has been made to avoid the main roads through Bedhampton and Leigh Park.
8. Why is an alternative route shown on the map at the north end of High Lawn Way?
The proposed pipeline route through the open space to the north-west (rear) of High Lawn Way will have some impact on a small number of trees. The impact can not be fully assessed until the detailed design of the pipeline is complete and the exact method of construction is known. Every effort will be made to select a method of construction that will minimise the impact on the existing trees. Any potential impact will be assessed by an independent arboriculture specialist, who would advise on the method of working and any mitigation work required prior to submitting a planning application.
The route along the road at the northern end of High Lawn Way has not been identified as the preferred route by Portsmouth Water, as it presents significant engineering difficulties and would result in much more disruption to local residents, especially given the proximity to the school.
As the outcome of the environmental impact assessment is not known at this time, the Council have proposed safeguarding the Company proposed route (pink) through the open space and the alternative route (blue) along the northern section of High Lawn Way.
9. How will you minimise disruption?
Clearly constructing a pipeline through a developed urban area will result in some localised disruption. Portsmouth Water has a lot of experience of carefully planning works in advance to minimise disruption. Every effort will be made to minimise the impact on local residents and businesses. The construction programme will be designed to help minimise the impact, this will include the following actions:
Sensitive sites have already been identified where work would need to be programmed to coincide with holiday periods (e.g. close to schools and community halls), or to avoid busy periods (e.g. rugby club).
Construction will take place in short sections to help minimise disruption to local residents and traffic.
A communication strategy will be discussed and agreed with Havant Borough Council and Hampshire County Council before works commence. It is envisaged that residents and businesses would be kept informed by letter drops, to give advance notice of any works in their area, regular updates would also be posted on the Company website.
10. Have you consulted landowners or anyone else?
Consultation has taken place with the main landowners along the pipeline route. This includes Havant Borough Council, Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council, who have raised no objection to the proposed route. In addition;
Early contact was made with a small number of representatives of some of the more sensitive sites along the pipeline route, including the Great Copse Group.
A presentation on the route was given to the HTWSR Stakeholder Group, providing members the opportunity to feedback on any issues identified.
Ward councillors and county councillors were invited to walk the route and provide there feedback.
Local people will have their opportunity to comment on the route in late 2012, when Havant Borough Council publish and consult on their draft Allocation Plan. In the meantime if you have any particular concerns about the route please contact Portsmouth Water (see Q14).
11. Have environmental impacts been considered when selecting the route?
Yes, potential environmental impacts have been considered. Every effort has been made to avoid construction close to mature trees and hedges, where practical. In some areas this led to the route along the stream being amended to minimise the environmental impact. For example;
Prior to submitting a planning application an environmental impact assessment would be completed, Specifically, PW would seek advice from an independent arboriculture specialist prior to submitting a planning application, to assess what techniques can be used to avoid or minimise the impact on the small number of trees present along the route. Any restoration and mitigation work required would be agreed in advance with Havant Borough Council.
12. Will the pipeline route conflict with the Environment Agency plans to carry out environmental improvements to create a more natural channel for the Hermitage Stream?
No, the route of the pipeline does not conflict with the Environment Agency proposals. Portsmouth Water and the EA are working together to ensure that both schemes can proceed.
13. Will a new water abstraction licence be required to fill the reservoir?
No, a new water abstraction licence will not be required. The reservoir will store excess winter water which emerges from the natural springs at Havant and Bedhampton which currently flows out to sea.
Rain water falls on the downs north of Havant and is naturally filtered by the chalk as it moves south through the aquifer before emerging as very good quality spring water. Any water not removed by the Company at the springs drains through an overflow system in to the Hermitage Stream at the tidal limit. The Company has no means of capturing and storing this water. Building a reservoir at Havant Thicket will give Portsmouth Water the opportunity to store excess winter flows for use by our customers at times of greatest need, such as in dry summers.
It is predicted that climate change is likely to result in wetter winters and dryer summers, the reservoir would help us adapt to climate change by harvesting winter rainfall on a community scale, while complying with our existing abstraction licence conditions.
14. Have you considered alternative options to building a new reservoir?
Yes, the company reviews the best way of meeting future water supply needs every five years in conjunction with key stakeholders, such as the Environment Agency, and publishes a Water Resources Management Plan. The Portsmouth Water plan follows a twin track approach of trying to reduce household consumption, while also planning new resources. The latest plan incorporates the following elements;
A compulsory metering programme utilising automatic meter reading technology over a 15 year period from 2015-2030.
A programme of leakage savings delivering a 3Ml/d leakage reduction between 2015 and 2020.
The construction of a Washwater Recovery Plant at Farlington Water Treatment Works in 2017/18.
The development of Havant Thicket Winter Storage Reservoir filled by surplus yield from the Company’s Havant and Bedhampton Springs between 2025 and 2035.
In the meantime the company has an active programme to encourage consumers to use water wisely and have a water meter installed. The programme includes a partnership with Staunton Country Park to deliver a “Water is Life” programme to schools, provision of a water themed toddler trail and the recent creation of “Water Zone” at the Park.
15. If I have concerns about the pipeline route who should I contact?
If you have any significant concerns about the pipeline route please contact:
16. Where can I found out more about the plans for the reservoir?
You can find out more about the Havant Thicket Winter Storage Reservoir proposals by visiting either:
Public Consultation 2008
In order to fill the reservoir, a pipeline route will be needed between Havant and Bedhampton Springs and the Havant Thicket Reservoir site. Four alternative pipeline routes were presented in the 2008 public consultation document, each taking a slightly different route. Respondents were asked to identify which of the pipeline routes they most preferred. There was a clear preference from the public (77%) for the pipeline to be constructed where practical along the red route which largely followed alongside the Riders Lane Stream and Hermitage Stream.
.jpg "Pipeline Options")
Those in favour of the ‘Red Route’ argued that this would create the least amount of disruption of the four possible routes, and suggested that it would be the quickest to construct and provide potential opportunities for cycle ways and pedestrian footpaths. It was also suggested that due to its proximity to the Riders Lane / Hermitage Stream that in the event of leakage, water from the pipes would naturally flow into the stream, and therefore lessen the impact on the built environment. Concern was raised, however, that this route would run through the Great Copse area and therefore the greatest effort should be taken to mitigate the impacts of the pipeline on the natural environment in this location. In terms of the ‘Blue Route’, ‘Green Route’ and ‘Yellow Route’ it was considered that these would create more disruption due to their disturbance of highways and pavements. The least favoured route was the yellow route.
Given the strong preference expressed by the public Portsmouth Water have proceeded to identify a viable pipeline route wherever practical alongside the Riders Lane Stream and Hermitage Stream. This included further work to identify a route that avoided the Great Copse woodland, in order to help minimise any adverse environmental impacts.
For further information on the 2008 public consultation click here