Plans to build a second reservoir supplying water to the Burnham-On-Sea area have been given the go-ahead by district councillors on Tuesday (June 10th).
Bristol Water plans to build the £125m reservoir close to the existing facility in Cheddar to meet the future need for water in the area.
Plans for the new reservoir include a visitor centre, swimming and water sport facilities, as well as a cafe and picnic areas.
Sedgemoor District Councillors voted almost unanimously to approve the 9,400 million litre reservoir, subject to planning conditions.
Bristol Water said it welcomed the decision but there was “still a long way to go”.
A spokesman for the company said if it is built, it will not only provide a “much needed new source of water” in the county but be of “enormous long term recreational and conservation benefit”.
“However, there is still a long way to go before any construction, as the investment must also secure regulatory approval from Ofwat,” he said.
The reservoir could be fully operational by 2025, filled by surplus winter water flows in Cheddar Gorge.
