Summer 2025
Environmental Impact Assessment scoping document submitted to Trafford Council.
Following an extensive review, and in consultation with the Environment Agency, we are proposing to develop a new source of drinking water from the River Bollin. This will provide an additional water supply into the local area and is part of our plans to improve water resilience across the region. This would involve constructing an abstraction point to take water out of the River Bollin, new pipelines to transfer the water, a new water treatment works and a new storage reservoir, to be operational in 2033.
We are proposing to locate the treatment works somewhere within the shaded area in the map below, subject to ongoing surveys and assessments. At this very early stage of the planning process, we are talking to local landowners about this proposal and possible locations for the new water treatment works and storage reservoir, ahead of submitting a full planning application in 2027. There will be opportunity for the wider community to review and comment on our proposals at public events as our design progresses.
To give some idea of size, the new treatment facility would cover around 1% of the shaded area below, or 5-7 hectares.
We are currently carrying out assessments, gathering data and talking to interested parties to assess the environmental impact the scheme would have on the surrounding area, ahead of submitting an Environmental Impact Assessment scoping document to the local authority, Trafford Council. This comprehensive document will cover geology and soils, traffic and transport, biodiversity, materials and waste, public access and recreation, communities and health, air quality, noise and vibration, and carbon and climate change. It will recommend what further studies are required to quantify any potential impacts resulting from construction and operation of the proposed scheme, so they can either be designed out or mitigated. Trafford Council will consult relevant bodies and provide a response on the scope of information needed for the Environmental Impact Assessment which will be submitted with the detailed planning application.
Once we have submitted the scoping document to Trafford Council, there are several steps ahead of us before we are ready to submit a planning application in 2027. These are set out below.
Environmental Impact Assessment scoping document submitted to Trafford Council.
Environmental Impact Assessment scoping decision received from Trafford Council..
Engagement with stakeholders and the community.
Planning application and continued stakeholder engagement.
Subject to approval, construction to begin in 2029.
Scheme operational, construction complete.
Continuous engagement with stakeholders, landowners and the community to ensure feedback is embedded in what we do