Agricultural Irrigation Reservoir
Mid West Planning Ltd has successfully obtained planning permission for an agricultural reservoir for an estate in Norfolk. The agricultural reservoir will be able to hold up to 120,000m3 of water. The reservoir will help to address the water deficit as predicted by Water Resources East, due to increased demands in the region and the effects of climate change. Water Resources East, a not-for-profit (WRE), membership organisation has been tasked by the government to create a regional water resources plan for Eastern England that looks ahead to 2050 and beyond.
Mid West Planning Ltd has worked to secure planning permission for a 120,000m3 agricultural reservoir in Norfolk. Raynham Estate in Norfolk now have planning consent to build the agricultural reservoir they need to meet irrigation requirements. The planning consent included a pumping house to abstract water sustainably and under licence from the River Wensum during winter, at times of high river levels. Mid West Planning Ltd produced the Environmental Statement and Aboricultural Method Statement and successfully managed the application through to its positive determination.
Sustainable abstraction regimes that protect and enhance flows in rivers, will help to ensure that the environment is central to planning for water security. More than 60% of England’s abstraction licences for irrigation are located in the Eastern region and farmers manage 75% of the land in Eastern England. Water Resources East - Safeguarding a sustainable supply of water (wre.org.uk)
The Ecology Report by Wild Frontier Ecology Ltd provided an assessment of existing habitats and species and recommendations for Biodiversity Enhancements. Enhancements included, native species hedgerow planting to provide an additional resource for nesting birds and foraging birds, small mammals and invertebrates and the establishment of species rich meadow grassland areas to provide benefit to pollinator species such as bees, butterflies and hoverflies which will in turn benefit birds and bats.
North Norfolk Council approved the reservoir designed by experienced reservoir designers Hawes Associates. They have designed a balanced cut and fill reservoir with a maximum bank height of 7m. The reservoir has been designed to fall within the ambit of the 1975 Reservoirs Act as amended by the 2010 Water Act, as such all designs and construction will be subject to statutory independent review and certification. The completed reservoir will be subject to statutory annual safety inspections.
