Work on a new reservoir in Cheddar could start in 2016, residents learnt this week.

Located in the Hythe Lane area, the spot was chosen after Bristol Water engineers ruled out Wookey – the only other possible place left.

Earlier Clutton, Axbridge and Banwell had been dismissed due to the costs and practicalities involved.

The proposed new development swallowing up hundreds of acres of pasture land off the Wedmore Road will sit side by side with the existing reservoir, doubling Bristol Water’s site.

The water giant said they would consult closely with residents, land owners and the parish council over the next three years before work commenced.

The company said in a statement: “The Cheddar site has emerged as the firm favourite on economic, environmental and geological grounds.

“Landowners on whose property investigations were conducted have been informed of the various outcomes.”

Jeremy Williams of Bristol Water stressed the company would engage in full consultations with the community and said one of the reservoirs would be given over to recreation while the other would likely be more the preserve of wildlife and conservation.

He said the artist’s impression of the reservoir should not be taken to represent the reservoir site’s exact positioning.

He added that further detailed investigations into all aspects of the potential reservoir will now take place – but no planning application has been submitted.

Bristol Water engaged consultants Arup to advise and help it with the whole process, as well as to assess and compare the feasibility of any proposals before they were finalised.

At the same time, Arup have been checking there would be enough water available from the Cheddar Springs’ source, which feeds the existing reservoir, to fill the new reservoir as well.

The company’s Water In The Future document outlined their strategy for the next 25 years. A key aspect of this strategy is to build a major new raw water reservoir by 2025.

The proposal for a new reservoir was bound up with the regulatory reviews of what prices water companies can charge and the investments they can make over the period 2010-2015.

As part of this review, the water companies published Final Business Plans – Bristol Water’s included a proposal for preparatory work for a new reservoir to be carried out between 2010 and 2015.

Bristol Water believes construction could not commence before 2016 at the very earliest, and probably much later.

The area most likely to be affected is the land farmed by Roy and David Parsons who raise beef cattle and sheep off Hythe Lane.

Last June the brothers’s hay barn burnt down when they were haymaking.

Also likely to be affected are a number of stables and smallholdings.

Based on Bristol Water’s indicative image only two or three homes would be lost.

Sharpham Road playing fields partly came about due to the company’s construction of the reservoir in the 1930s.

Mr Williams said that consultations with the parish council would decide what new facilities may be included.

He said Sedgemoor District Council would also have an input in the consultations.

Tessa Munt MP said: “I am pleased that a decision has been made so that local people know where they stand.

“I have been contacted by many constituents about Bristol Water’s different proposals over the last few months, and their views have been passed on.

“I am concerned that Bristol Water takes every possible step to save and conserve our water before any new reservoir building takes place – ensuring its pipes are not leaking, that the silt in our existing reservoir is minimised, and that water meters are installed as widely as possible.”

“I would invite anyone with concerns to contact me in writing, by telephone or at one of my many local surgeries and advice centres in the area.”

There is more on the proposed reservoir on the water company’s website at www.bristol-water.co.uk.

What do you think of the plans? Please email your views to editor@midsomnews.co.uk.