Portsmouth Water is inviting people to sign up for the final round of webinars during a public consultation on its proposals to create a new £120 million reservoir in Hampshire.
Havant Thicket Reservoir, in Havant, would help protect the county’s world-famous chalk streams, secure future water supplies and provide a new green, leisure amenity, benefitting local people and wildlife.
On Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 June, the company is holding the last two online briefings of its public consultation on the reservoir project, with the consultation running until Monday 8 June.
The webinars have proved very popular so far, with dozens of people taking part and putting their questions to Portsmouth Water’s team of experts.
The webinars have provided an easy way for people to find out more and have their say, while keeping everyone safe during the coronavirus pandemic. Attendees have really liked the format, with a series of short videos on key topics, interspersed with live Question and Answer sessions, with attendees typing in questions to be answered by the reservoir team.
Simon Hughes, Stakeholder and Environment Lead for the Havant Thicket Reservoir project, said: “We want to hear from as many people as possible on our latest reservoir proposals, particularly what people think about our updated options for the access route to the reservoir site and the route of a new pipeline to fill the reservoir with water and empty it.”
“We’ve heard lots of good questions so far, ranging from topics like wildlife and woodland, leisure facilities, renewable energy for the proposed visitors centre, car parking and lots more. In addition, we have had great feedback from those who have
taken part in the webinars.”
“The webinars are easy to sign up for via our consultation website www.portsmouthwater.co.uk/havant-thicket-reservoir and you can take part using your smartphone, tablet device or computer. So, please do take the time to join us, learn more about this vitally important scheme and tell us what you think. All the feedback we get will help shape the planning application we’ll submit later this year.”
The Havant Thicket Reservoir webinar on Wednesday 3 June starts at 2pm, with the session on Thursday 4 June getting underway from 6pm.
Anyone who is not able to access the internet can ask for a printed version of Portsmouth Water’s consultation brochure and a feedback form to be put in the post to them by calling 02392 449084 and leaving a message, or by writing to Havant Thicket Reservoir consultation, Portsmouth Water, PO Box 99, West Street, Havant, PO9 1LG.