Earlier this week, South Yorkshire's daily newspaper, The Star reported on Severn Trent's tentative plans for increasing its reservoir capacity in the Upper Derwent Valley. It would appear that the company is considering two options, either the construction of a fourth reservoir higher up the valley beyond the Howden one or combining that reservoir with the lower Derwent one. Both schemes are almost certain to impact on the biodiversity of the valley and thus will be controversial to say the least. A Severn Trent spokesperson said: “With a further 12 million people expected to be living in the UK by 2050, we are working on ways to manage the increasing demand for water in the long term. We’re already delivering on plans to reduce demand, tackle burst pipes and develop new sources of drinking water, including the possible increase of water storage capacity at the Upper Derwent Valley. We have a duty to explore all possibilities, of which boosting capacity in the Upper Derwent Valley is just one. “We are still at a very early stage in this process and will be continuing to work with all parties involved to shape these plans. This includes stakeholders and local residents, with whom we’ve already begun liaising. If anyone has any questions, they can contact us by emailing udvreenquiries@severntrent.co.uk.” A number of organizations have already expressed their opposing to the plans, these include the BMC, Derwent and Hopewoodlands Parish Council and the South Yorkshire Climate Alliance. Click on the links to read their views. Countryside charity, CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire, says it is organising a coalition of opposition. Chief executive Tom Thompson said: “We are resolute in our opposition to any of the proposals by Severn Trent in the Upper Derwent Valley.” The Star's article can be read HERE.