Wedoany.com Report-Oct 30 , SOUTH West Water have confirmed they are resurrecting massive plans to build a second reservoir near Cheddar in Somerset after dropping the project six years ago.

Engineers have already started surveying land, after the announcement of the resurrected reservoir plans.

The reservoir, named Cheddar 2 aims to provide an additional source of water that will enable South West Water to improve the drought resilience and deliver environmental benefits in the wider South West, for example in Devon and Bournemouth.

The plans were first proposed by Bristol Water (a company later bought by the Pennon Group who owns South West Water) in 2013.

According to the BBC, Ofwat said the plan had “significant concerns” and the project was consequently dropped in 2018.

Cheddar 2 will be built as a part of South West Water’s 2025-2030 plan for change, using information shared by more than 250,000 people over three years of engagement, research and feedback.

A spokesperson for South West Water said: “As part of our 2025-2030 business plan we’re resurrecting plans for the Cheddar 2 reservoir, that will benefit customers across the Greater South West.

“Across our entire region we are working hard to develop a multi-faceted demand and supply strategy to protect our supplies and break the cycle of drought.

“Alongside Cheddar 2 plans, we are repurposing disused quarries, investing in desalination, and looking at new river abstraction permits.”

South West Water have said they are currently only in the early stages of planning at the moment but will be sharing updates on their plans over the months.