Ofwat opened the consultation on whether the White Horse Reservoir should be designated a ‘Specified Infrastructure Project’ and Thames Water issued with a preparatory works notice, on April 2.

The proposed project, previously known as SESRO or Abingdon Reservoir, would involve the 10-year construction of a massive reservoir which could hold around 150 million cubic metres of water to supply the south east, built just 5km south-west of Abingdon.

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It would be one of the largest reservoirs built in the UK, and has been proposed to combat water supply deficit of the ‘seriously water stressed’ region, as designated by the Environment Agency.

A CGI of the new reservoir (Image: Thames Water)

But it’s proved controversial, with campaigners Group Against Reservoir Development receiving backing from the community, local MPs and councillors.

Specifying the project would give the secretary of state or Ofwat the power ‘to specify an infrastructure project for separate delivery and regulation’, meaning it would not automatically be undertaken by Thames Water but rather put out to tender for an independent, third party provider to deliver and finance the project.

This specification can be issued for projects which are considered to be of a ‘size and complexity’ that would threaten the undertaker’s – in this case, Thames Water’s – ability to provide service for its customers, and if the specification is likely to result in a better value for money.

Ofwat concluded that, if Thames Water were to deliver the project, there would be a ‘material threat’ to the company’s ability to provide water services to its customers.

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Factors including the cost of the reservoir – estimated between £5.5billion and £7.5billion according to prices in 2022/23 – it’s scale as the single largest reservoir project ever undertaken in the UK and the risks around construction and engineering were all cited as reasons for this conclusion.

Similarly, Thames Water’s ability to manage it while ‘delivering the long-term transformation of its business’ over the next decade was also considered a factor in concluding the project should be specified.

Leonie Dubois, left, head of engagement for Thames Water (Image: Thames Water)

Once specified, Thames Water may still be required to undertake ‘preparatory works’ – like conducting site surveys relating to heritage, environment and other elements – arranging for electricity provisions, diverting utilities and undertaking highway works, preparing designs and planning applications for the project and procuring the works.

However, the water company would be prohibited from delivering the infrastructure project itself.

The consultation will close on May 14, and independent Vale of White Horse councillor Sally Whiteman (nee Povolotsky) urged people to submit their views.

Sally Whiteman (nee Povolotsky) urged people to submit their views to Ofwat (Image: Sally Povolotsky)

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She said: “This is a hugely important stage in the process. Now is the time to put your views on record.

“This consultation is arguably one of the most important ‘gateway moments’ yet in the White Horse Reservoir process because it moves discussion from ‘should this reservoir exist?’ towards ‘how do we deliver it?’.

“Consultations only work if people take part. Every individual response matters and helps demonstrate the depth of local feeling and concern.”

Lifestyle website Muddy Stilettos has come up with a shortlist of towns and villages across the county so that people can vote and choose a winner.

Voting got under way on April 21 and is due to finish on May 26, with the result announced soon afterwards.

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On the shortlist of eight are Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, near Wallingford, Charlbury, Goring, Great Milton, Headington, Henley, Hook Norton, and Whitchurch-on-Thames.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie and family live in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.

Boris Johnson with Rev Kevin Beer at a Brightwell church fete in 2023 (Image: Oxford Mail)

A spokesperson for Muddy Stilettos says: “Tucked between Didcot and Wallingford, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell has a ‘middle-of-nowhere’ feel and yet it’s just minutes from your pick of buzzy market towns and only 40 mins from Oxford city centre.

“You might even spot a certain mop-haired celeb down at the local; Boris and Carrie Johnson snapped up the nine-bedroom Brightwell Manor and are raising their growing brood in this picture-perfect village.”

Another village on the shortlist, Great Milton, also has a celebrity resident, chef Raymond Blanc, who runs Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons restaurant, which is closed for refurbishment.

The website writes: “Two Michelin-starred Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons (Le Manoir for short) is considered one of the best hotel restaurants in the whole of Europe, and has taken pride of place at the edge of the Great Milton village for 40 years.”

Raymond Blanc (Image: Oxford Mail)

Headington is the only location in Oxford to be included on the shortlist, with Muddy Stilettos saying: “Oxford without the tourist buses, you say? Count us in.

“Leafy streets, a quaint old high street with more than a whiff of the Cotswolds, green space galore and – wait for it – a giant shark sticking out of someone’s roof: Headington is where Oxfordians come for laid-back city living with bags of character.

“Sitting pretty on Oxford’s eastern hills, Headington feels like a peaceful little pocket – yet hop on a bus (or bike, if you’re feeling virtuous) and you’re in the city centre in 10 minutes.”

The Headington shark (Image: Contributed)

The lifestyle gurus add: “Expect wide avenues, period homes, top-notch schools, and a friendly, village-in-the-city vibe.

“Doctors, academics, young families – everyone wants in.

“And with the excellent John Radcliffe and The Churchill hospitals right here on the doorstep (the John Radcliffe being a world-class teaching hospital, no less), there’s always a medic handy when the Prosecco bites back.”

Henley-on-Thames (Image: Contributed)

Henley has also won praise on the shortlist.

A spokesperson for Muddy Stilettos said: “One of the loveliest riverside towns in Oxfordshire – and yes, you’ll pay for it – Henley has thrown off its blue rinse reputation in recent years and become a sought-after hub for families and urban exiles.

“They’re attracted to its arthouse cinema, gazillions of home turf festivals, the world-famous Regatta, well established literature and music fests, and its impressive foodie and shopping scene.”

Following Thursday’s vote, negotiations have been taking place to settle the question of leadership at the authority.

After the results were revealed, leader Andy Graham said he hoped that the West Oxfordshire Alliance would continue to run the council.

This is a “partnership administration” with Lib Dem, Green and Labour groups, which formed in 2022.

Now, confirming the arrangement will continue, Mr Graham said: “I am really pleased that the West Oxfordshire Alliance will be continuing to run the council, building on what has been delivered over the past four years. 

“One of our council priorities is ‘Working in together for West Oxfordshire’ and it is incredibly important to me that we maintain this partnership in leading the council.

“It will enable this council to continue to deliver its ambitious council plan along with great council services for our residents and businesses.”

The three parties have all signed their commitment to the alliance today, May 13.

This gives the administration a total of 32 councillors and a majority of 15.

In the previous iteration of the ruling alliance, the council’s executive was made up of councillors from each of the three parties involved.

This news comes ahead of the council’s annual general meeting on May 20.

Following the election, there are 20 Liberal Democrat councillors, 16 Conservative, eight Labour, four Greens and one from Reform UK.

This means that no single political party gained an overall majority.

Prior to the polls, there were 21 Liberal Democrat councillors, 13 Conservatives, 10 Labour, four Greens, and one from Reform UK.

Of the 16 seats up for election this time round – about a third of the council – seven were won by the Liberal Democrats, seven by the Conservatives, one by Reform UK, and one by the Green Party.

Voter turnout was higher than last time – 45.9 per cent compared to 39.6 per cent at the district council election in 2024.

At the count, Tammy Abarno said she was delighted to win the Carterton South ward for the Conservatives.

And Green Party group leader, Rosie Pearson, was re-elected for the Brize Norton and Shilton ward.

Duncan Enright, deputy leader of the council, and leader of the Labour group, said he was disappointed for the Labour councillors who lost their seats.

“The Labour group wants to carry on doing its best for West Oxfordshire’s towns and villages,” he added.