Battle over spillway set to continue

CAMPAIGNERS are continuing to oppose plans to upgrade a Victorian reservoir spillway – even thought the scheme has been revised following widespread criticism.

By The Newsroom

Published 9th Oct 2013, 01:01 BST

Yorkshire Water is seeking to amend its current planning application for Butterley reservoir spillway at Marsden, Huddersfield.

The scheme is opposed by the Victorian Society and many local residents.

The revised plans propose leaving the spillway walls intact while increasing their height using local stone.

The floor of the spillway will still be concreted.

A company spokesman said: “The decision follows ongoing consultation with the local community and recent investigation work by the company which revealed that the spillway walls are in a better condition than first thought.”

“The company is proposing to leave the current walls intact and instead raise their height, utilising locally sourced stone, in order to ensure they are best able to deal with greater flows.”

The Save Butterley Spillway group said it would be opposing the revised scheme. A decision is expected next month.