Latest news with #BewlWater
BBC News
6 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Southern Water begins £45m Bewl reservoir improvements
Work on £45m plans to install better drainage infrastructure at a Kent dam has begun.A series of three 30m-long (98.4 ft), 1.7m-wide (5.8ft) pipes will be installed at Bewl Water, near Wadhurst, to make the reservoir more new spillway, which will allow Southern Water to drain the equivalent of an Olympic swimming pool every minute from the dam, comes after recommendations following the partial collapse of Whaley Bridge dam in 2019, which saw 1,500 people evacuated from the Derbyshire Flasck, Southern Water director of water operations, said: "This project means we can keep the public safe if we have to in an emergency." Ms Flasck added that the new pipes would allow the water level in the dam to be lowered by 5m (16.4ft) in five days,. It currently can be lowered by 15cm (6in) in that would be channelled into the River Bewl, where it would then eventually flow into the River Medway.A Southern Water spokesperson said the spillway works came after a national report following the incident at Whaley Bridge, which mandated public safety improvement, but that it was "highly unlikely to ever be used".The reservoir is currently only 65% full after a spell of dry, hot weather and heatwaves in the South East and across the auxiliary spillway at Whaley Bridge collapsed following heavy rain, prompting a full-scale emergency rescue effort.A large crane is being used to lift the pipes in place, supported by a team of are being funded by money from Southern Water customer bills, with Ms Flasck adding that "every single penny" of bill payments goes towards projects, such as that at Bewl.
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Wadhurst Parish Council goes to High Court over Bewl Water camp
A parish council is taking legal action over a decision to allow permanent camping and yurt accommodation at Bewl Water, on the Kent/East Sussex Parish Council said the decision, made by the government's planning inspectors, went against legislation requiring public bodies to conserve the natural a statement the council said: "The government appears to be signalling to developers that any piece of our precious countryside is now fair game for major developments, regardless of the level of protection a site might have."The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has been contacted for comment. The parish council statement said: "We believe that the Bewl Water decision undermines the new statutory protections designed to conserve and enhance these areas."We believe preserving the integrity of the High Weald National Landscape is essential for future generations and the diverse wildlife that calls it home. In particular we are committed to protecting the internationally important gull roost."Claire Moore, chair of Wadhurst Parish Council, told BBC Radio Sussex: "The overnight accommodation brings noise and light pollution to what is a very tranquil and dark skies area."The gulls are easily disturbed by light and noise pollution."I agree people will think 'what's wrong with a little bit of camping?' But if we don't stand up and protect the national landscape, then where does it stop?"The application had initially been refused by Wealden District Council in April case will be heard at the High Court on Wednesday and Thursday, with the council having received over £10,000 in donations towards its costs from local residents.
