ABOUT 160 trees in historic areas of woodland would be cut down as part of plans for a dale reservoir.
The proposals by Northumbria Water have been submitted to Durham County Council for changes at Grassholme Reservoir, near Mickleton.
They hope to alter part of the north-western embankment, reducing the gradient down to the water’s edge.
The work would involve the removal of the trees from an area of ancient semi-natural woodland, realign parts of the Carl Beck watercourse and create a pit to provide earth for the work.
The plans are required to address safety concerns identified during the last inspection, the company said.
Janet Langsford, of Stantec, on behalf of Northumbria Water, said: “The proposed works have been designed, as required, to stabilise the northern embankment of the dam to reduce the risk of deep-seated slips, which could lead to destabilisation of the dam.
“These overriding design principles must take precedent over the design of other important elements in the scheme, which are unavoidably impacted.”
The reservoir, which supplies drinking water to 1.3 million properties in the North East, was constructed between 1901 and 1914 and is situated within the North Pennines AONB.
Ms Langsford added: “In order to strengthen the northern embankment of the reservoir it is necessary to remove an area of approximately 0.8 hectares of ancient semi-natural woodland.”
The proposal includes
creating two broadleaf
native woodlands to mitigate for the loss of trees and habitats.
Access to part of a permissive footpath which allows walkers to go around the edge of the reservoir, would be closed during construction but reopened again afterwards.
Copies of Northumbria Water’s plans are available to view on Durham
County Council’s website DM/20/01375/FPA
