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North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin meets concerned villagers

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CONCERNED villagers have lobbied an MP over proposals for a reservoir in Great Bromley.

Plans have been drawn up for an agricultural reservoir at Slough Farm near Carrington Road.

If the project is given the go-ahead, the reservoir would measure four hectares and would be ten metres deep and hold 36 million gallons of water.

Mineral Services, which is handling the application, say the reservoir would be filled over the winter to be used for irrigation in the spring and summer.

A purpose-built access road would be built across Carrington Lane through Long Cover Wood.

However, villagers turned out in force at a public meeting earlier this year to express their concerns about the scheme including the effect the reservoir would have on the water table.

A number of the villagers get their water from wells which they fear will run dry if the water table drops.

North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin has now met with villagers to discuss the issues involved - and he vowed to ensure their views are heard.

And he said he would call for a public inquiry if he was not satisfied all objections had been considered.

Mr Jenkin said: "One of the issues which was raised was why was there a sudden need for extra irrigation.

"Also, how is the heavy traffic going to come and go for the years the gravel is extracted.

"The B1029 has a 7.5 tonne limit and we are talking about 20 to 30 lorry movements a day with 24 tonne trucks.

"There are safety concerns about the use of such heavy lorries in a small road."

Mr Jenkin said he would ask the highways agency Essex County Council to send a representative to the site to see the road in question.

He added: "I am hoping the parish council will join us to look at the road and the impact the development would have.

"I will certainly represent the views of the villagers and want to make sure everyone gets their say."

The reservoir would need planning permission from Tendring Council and support from the Environment Agency and Essex County Council. The county council would also have to give permission for gravel to be extracted from the site.

Mr Jenkin said: "There is already a mineral structure plan and this scheme is not in it."

Nick Gant, of Mineral Services, said the plans were proceeding but no date had yet been set for the planning application to be submitted.

9:36am Friday 9th May 2008

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