RAPID has agreed a request from Thames Water for an extension to its White Horse Reservoir gate three submission deadline to allow further engagement with the Environment Agency regarding the consenting approach for the abstraction and discharge required to operate the reservoir.
Image: artist's impresssion White Horse Reservoir
The water company wrote to the Regulators' Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) on 26 August requesting an extension to the submission deadline for gate three Priority Action 8 from 31 August 2026 to 30 October 2026.
Thames Water is developing the plans for the reservoir (formerly known as the South East Strategic Reservoir Option - SESRO) in partnership with solution owners Affinity Water and Southern Water.
Priority action 8 was set out in Ofwat’s gate three final decision for the White Horse Reservoir published in May 2026, which said the solution owners need to confirm with the Environment Agency which environmental permits can be disapplied under the Development Consent Order by 30 June 2026 (extended from 30 April 2026).
RAPID says in the letter agreeing to the extension request:
“We understand that discussions between Thames Water and the Environment Agency are ongoing and, on this basis, we agree to the requested extension and confirm that the submission deadline for Priority Action 8 is extended to 30 October 2026. We expect the additional time to be used to progress discussions and ensure that the final submission clearly sets out the agreed position and supporting rationale.”
However, it goes on to say:
“While we are content to grant the extension, we want to better understand the outstanding issues, the progress made to date, and the steps required to reach agreement. We note that published guidance on Development Consent Orders (DCO) sets out the circumstances in which abstraction and discharge consents may be incorporated within a DCO clearly, and it would be helpful to understand the areas that continue to require further discussion.”
RAPID also welcomed Thames Water’s offer of a meeting between RAPID, Thames Water and the Environment Agency, saying the meeting should take place at least two weeks before the new deadline.
The meeting should include updates from both sides on the progress made and the issues remaining to help conclude discussions and support timely resolution of the priority action, the letter concludes..
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