Legal challenge to demolition plans for historic spillway

Campaigners have fought to preserve the Grade II listed stepped structure – the only
listed structure of its kind in
the country – at Butterley Reservoir at Marsden, near Huddersfield.

Earlier this year Kirklees Council’s Planning Committee turned down Yorkshire Water’s planning and listed building consent applications. But the company has said the spillway had to be upgraded using concrete for safety reasons.

Yorkshire Water’s community engagement advisor, John Bond, said: “The improvements are needed because the spillway plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of thousands of homes, not only in Marsden but further down the valley.

“We’re very aware of the local interest in the spillway but would like to reassure people that we’ve worked hard to ensure they are left with something that will not only keep them safe, but maintain their pride in the skills of Victorian engineers.”

Yorkshire Water claims improvements are needed to the spillway to meet legal safety requirements. The improvements once finished are due to ensure that the overflow continues to effectively protect the reservoir embankment from flood erosion.

Critics favoured the creation of an overflow drop shaft and tunnel likened to a “giant plughole”. But Yorkshire Water said all other alternative measures to its proposal have been ruled out on engineering and safety grounds.

The firm said that while a decision is made, mitigation measures have been taken to ensure the safety of its customers. These include lowering the levels of Butterley reservoir by 20ft, along with two other reservoirs further up the valley. All three reservoirs will remain lowered until remedial works are carried out.

Yorkshire Water will be submitting its appeal in due course and will be writing to residents over the next few days to update them.