Next stage of Fens Reservoir project delayed as questions remain over how to fill it with water

Regulators have delayed the next submission deadline saying more work is needed on parts of the project plans

The next stage of the Fens Reservoir project has been delayed as questions remain over how the reservoir will be filled with water. Regulators recognised the progress that has been made on the project, but said more work is still needed on some areas before the next submission takes place.

Anglian Water, which is working on the project in partnership with Cambridge Water, said “significant milestones” have been reached, but that the project is still at an early stage. Cambridge Water added that this delay would not impact when the reservoir is expected to come into use.

The Fens Reservoir is proposed to be built between Chatteris and Doddington. It is hoped that the reservoir will be able to provide water for around 250,000 homes every year once built. Current timelines for the project aim to have the reservoir supplying water by 2036.

The project is considered ‘nationally significant’, which means the government will ultimately decide whether a Development Consent Order (DCO) is granted to build the reservoir. The formal application has not yet been submitted to the planning inspectorate for the project, with work still ongoing to develop the scheme.

In documents published by Anglian Water and Cambridge Water last year for the phase three consultation it highlights four potential sources of water to fill the reservoir.

These included using water from the Ouse Washes when it is available, taking water from the River Great Ouse via a pipeline, using water from the River Nene when it is available, and using water from the Middle Level System when it is available and pumping it into the reservoir.

However, RAPID, a partnership between the three water regulators Ofwat, the Environment Agency, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate, has sent a letter to Anglian Water and Cambridge Water saying more work is still needed on this issue.

RAPID said it would therefore be delaying the gate three submission, which was scheduled for April 30. The regulators said the gate three submission is an “important checkpoint on the way to the solution being prepared for its DCO application”.

The letter said: “Whilst we note progress is being made with the overall reservoir design, there are important areas which require further work to achieve the maturity required for a gate three submission. This includes areas such as remaining optionality in solution design, including the possible sources of water to fill the reservoir, and protection of the environment.”

RAPID said it would identify an appropriate new date for the gate three submission following further discussions with the water companies. The letter added that interim measures would also be looked at to monitor progress on the project.

‘Delay won’t impact when reservoir is expected to come into use’

A spokesperson for Anglian Water said: “The reservoirs programme continues at pace and, as recognised by Ofwat, significant milestones have been achieved including awarding and onboarding our Programme Delivery Partner (PDP), advancing design work on both reservoirs, completing significant site surveys and ground investigations and most recently, completing the third phase of public consultation for Fens.

“Nonetheless, the project remains in the early part of the development lifecycle and as expected for a project of this scale and complexity, we continue to progress with and develop the design.

“This is informed by ongoing assessments of the options for sources of water for the reservoir, taking on board feedback from engagement and consultation, resulting in updates to the project design.

“Progress has been clearly communicated with our regulator Ofwat and we continue to engage widely with stakeholders to advance onward development and reset the timing of the gate three milestone for the Fens reservoir.”

A spokesperson for Cambridge Water said: “Delivering the Fens Reservoir is essential for securing a long‑term, reliable water supply for the Cambridge area, while also creating new opportunities to protect and improve the local environment.

“We continue to work closely with Anglian Water as joint partners on this major project. This is still an early stage in the development of the reservoir, so it’s completely normal that some elements of the scheme are still being refined and discussed.

“The decision to move back the gate three submission doesn’t affect when the reservoir is expected to come into use. It’s simply a timing adjustment to ensure the project aligns properly with the DCO process, which begins next year.

“We remain fully committed to progressing the project and ensuring it meets the high standards expected by local communities, our regulators and everyone with an interest in the future of the region.”

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