Future of Aldenham Reservoir could be secured after 'positive' talks

It could ultimately lead to the repairs of the reservoir’s dam wall and a welcome return of water level after nearly two years of draining.

But it would come at the cost of green belt land with the owners readying a planning application for a development to help fund repairs.

Back in January, Hertsmere Borough Council committed to finding a long-term solution to the “systemic destruction” of the “beloved” reservoir by its private owners, which it paid a reported £50,000 for in 2015.

Water has been draining since the beginning of 2020 after the owners claimed pressure on the dam wall needed reducing following an inspection by its supervisor.

At times, it has left the reservoir, which is more than 225-years-old, looking like a shadow of its former self and forced Aldenham Sailing Club to find a new home. It even prompted a protest.

The owners said it needed £5 million for repairs but development attempts to raise money have failed.

Read more: Council members unite in pledge to 'save' Aldenham Reservoir

This is how Aldenham Reservoir looked in 2020 when water began to be drained (Image: Newsquest)

Now the owner is set to submit new plans. Hertsmere deputy leader and Watling county councillor Caroline Clapper says owners, the Gosrani brothers, have submitted a pre-planning application for a scheme on green belt land it owns near Centennial Park in Elstree.

At a meeting with the Gosrani's on October 17, local representatives were told building industrial units and a health clinic were being considered.

It would help pay a £2.5 million bill to rebuild the dam with a further £1.5 million needed for future maintenance and other associated costs.

Water levels have increased over time but not to pre-2020 levels. Pictured is the reservoir earlier this year (Image: Newsquest) 

Cllr Clapper says the council has accepted that work is required to the dam.

She said: “The owners have commissioned and shared an engineer report with us detailing the works that would need to be undertaken to the dam wall, including the associated costs.

“This report has been examined, scrutinised and subsequently validated by the officers at the council’s planning department. The engineers' report confirmed the need to have the water levels lowered in the interest of public safety.”

The dam wall pictured in 2020. Repairs still need to be undertaken but water levels are currently higher than pictured (Image: Newsquest)

Planning applications for the employment scheme and dam wall could be decided in early 2023, Cllr Clapper added. A community consultation is set to be held in mid-November.

A compulsory purchase of the reservoir by Hertsmere Borough Council - or any other body - appears to have been ruled out.

Read more: Compulsory purchase order being considered for Aldenham Reservoir

However Cllr Clapper says a community group made up of made up of local representatives and the owners would be created to manage and maintain the site to ensure the “long-term sustainability and success of the reservoir for generations to come”.

Caroline Clapper has also confirmed the path around the reservoir will remain open to the public with any existing gates to be removed. Image: Caroline Clapper (Image: Caroline Clapper)

The Conservative politician added: “We feel this plan is a fantastic achievement that has been reached in less than a year since the all-party motion was agreed. It will end many years of angst and uncertainty.”

She has thanked the Gosrani's for coming to the table with an "open mind", along with the Hertsmere Labour and Liberal Democrat group leaders Jeremy Newmark and Jerry Evans for their work and support, as well as council officers and Labour’s Dan Ozarow, who is also part of the Save Aldenham Reservoir campaign group.

Save Aldenham Reservoir said: "We will want to read and review the proposed planning application and consider its implications, prior to making any conclusive remarks. We welcome any initiative that genuinely seeks to ensure the future of Aldenham Reservoir and will make its comments known in due course.

"We request that the recent dam inspectors' report be made public, since the state of the reservoir has been the subject of much controversy over the years.”

Meanwhile in a letter to members, Simon Ray, chairman of the Aldenham Country Park Trust, showed his backing for the plans along with Elstree & Borehamwood Green Belt Society.