Adams Hendry successfully secured planning permission for South East Water to construct a series of critical water supply and storage pipelines in 2014. The majority of the scheme is located in Swinley Forest, which is designated as part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA) and Broadmoor to Bagshot Woods and Heaths Site of special scientific Interest (SSSI).
South East Water has a statutory duty to supply water to its customers. The Swinley Forest Strategic Mains scheme will enable South East Water to make best use of the available storage capacity at Crowthorne Service Reservoir, replace a failing asset, improve the transfer capacity within the Bracknell distribution area and ensure the water supply network is efficient and robust, and capable of meeting the future demand for water resources.
As the proposals cross the district boundary, Adams Hendry prepared and submitted planning applications to both Bracknell Forest Council and Surrey Heath Borough Council ensuring that the requirements of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations 2011 and the Habitat Regulations 2010 were fulfilled due to the schemes location within an SPA and SSSI. A key component of the scheme is the restoration and reinstatement of the construction working area. The planning application, supported by the Environmental Statement and the Appropriate Assessment Screening, demonstrated that the proposals will result in net gains in biodiversity and be of benefit to the SPA designated species. As such, the proposals will enhance biodiversity and therefore accord with development plan policy, the NPPF and other policies and guidance.
Planning permission was obtained from both local planning authorities within the statutory determination period to enable construction to commence in autumn 2014.
