Thames Water’s application to redevelop the Bath Road Reservoir site was unanimously rejected by the RBC planning committee at their meeting on Weds 7th October. On Wednesday 4th November at 6.30pm the planning committee will meet again to establish the full reasons for their rejection.

Campaigner Mel Woodward said: “It is in the best interests of everyone (the planning committee, the planning officers, and the Save the Bath Road Reservoir campaign) that these reasons cover ALL of the planning grounds that justify why the application is unsuitable for the site, because then if Thames Water appeal, the government will then not be able to overrule it, and we won't end up with a potentially similar or worse development.”

Local resident Graham Griffiths said: “Although we have come far, it is still really important to keep the motivation on the campaign alive so we would ask as many people as possible to come along and show their support at this meeting. We packed out the council chambers at the last meeting and it would be great if we can do this again."

Graham continued: "Now will be the chance for Thames Water to make good on their claims of putting ‘the environment and the community at the heart of everything we do’ – of which there has been very little evidence so far.”

Alok Sharma, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Reading West, added: "We only achieved a partial victory with the rejection of this application last week and Thames Water will undoubtedly be reviewing their options for an appeal. We therefore need all local residents and the whole community to continue to give their full support to the Bath Road Reservoir Campaign and working together we will win through."

The campaign will be meeting at 6.15pm outside the Civic Centre this Wednesday. The Planning Committee meeting begins at 6.30pm.

Further information:
Mel Woodward 07866 500854
Graham Griffiths 07808 143649
Pete Finnan on 07500 277456
Alok Sharma 07785 231862

or visit www.savethebathroadreservoir.co.uk