Cold water poured on revised scheme for reservoir spillway

The Butterley reservoir spillway, a stepped overflow feature at Marsden, near Huddersfield, was recently placed on the Victorian Society’s list of “endangered” structures over plans to upgrade it – using concrete – to cope with future floods.

About 200 residents have already objected to those initial plans.

Now the water company has revised those proposals and is proposing to retain more of the existing walls.

Diane Ellis, of community group Save Butterley Spillway, welcomed some of the revisions but said the amended scheme would “still result in a butchered spillway.”

She said: “The retention of the existing stonewalls rather than a replacement with concrete is welcomed. However, other proposed modifications will result in the spillway’s special architectural and a large part of its historic significance being lost.”

She added: “Yorkshire Water doesn’t ‘get it’. It says it’s listening to the community but the community is saying do not obliterate the spillway.

“It simply does not seem possible to meet the requirements of the reservoirs legislation by adapting the existing spillway channel without completely destroying everything that is special about it. Yorkshire Water seriously needs to consider building an alternative overflow structure, preferably one in the form of a tunnel or culvert.”

Mrs Ellis said that two important features of the spillway – the steeper cascade sections – would be demolished if the revised plans are passed. She also criticised the revised scheme for having differing wall heights.

“Having a wall around twice as tall for a large section of one side of the spillway than the other side would look horrendous. It would not respect the geometry and aesthetic design of the spillway.

“We have concerns about other aspects of the new design too. I’ve got little confidence in Yorkshire Water delivering a scheme with a high quality finish, including chipping away at the existing stone pillars and relocating a flight of stone steps, since to date it has failed to deliver a high-quality design on paper. The revised documents submitted continue to fail to recognise the importance of the original designer of the spillway, Thomas Hawksley.”

“Yorkshire Water say it’s spending more than it needs to in response to community feedback but that’s simply not the case. It’s having to spend more because it is dealing with a listed building. We really need Yorkshire Water to listen to the community.”

The group is urging people to submit comments to Kirklees Council on the new plans before the applications are considered.

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said: “The company is proposing to make some amendments to the application that will retain more of the current walls intact. Where the walls will have to be raised, locally sourced stone will be utilised. The existing key-stones within the spillway base will also be left in place and visible.

“The amendment reflects the fact that YW is committed to ensuring the existing structure is kept as intact as possible whilst ensuring that residents of Marsden remain protected from the risk of dam failure; however, the initial solution remains the same. English Heritage and Kirklees Council have been fully consulted about the proposed amendments.”

YW community engagement manager John Bond added: “The fact that we’ve made these amends demonstrates that we have been listening, and we’re committed to continuing our ongoing dialogue with all interested parties.”