By Harry Mottram: With this area running out of water in 2050 – according to West Country Water and Environment (WCWE) the umbrella group for water utilities in the South West which includes Bristol Water – the urgency to build Cheddar Reservoir 2 is kicking in. WCWE announced that consultations begin in just a few days time on September 3rd, when they will update news on their website as to how the public can give their views. A reminder that (WCWE) will hold a public consultation as a drop-in session on Friday 19 September in Axbridge Town Hall from 4-8pm. Other dates include Saturday 13 September at noon in Cheddar Village Hall and at Cross Memorial Hall on Tuesday 16 September at 4pm.
You can complete a paper copy of the feedback form from deposit locations – as they call them – in Axbridge Town Hall and Cheddar Library, and post it to Freepost WCWE SRO CONSULTATION or you can complete one online at www.westcountrywaterandenvironment.org or send an email to CheddarSRO@westcountrywaterandenvironment.org – the website has more information of course about the project although doesn’t go into detail about specifics.
They announced on their website: “The Cheddar 2 Reservoir and Transfer Project Autumn 2025 Consultation will start on 3 September when this page will be updated with more information about how you can get involved. We are proposing to build a second reservoir which will provide around 20 million litres per day of drinking water by 2035-36 during the summer months. This is enough to supply water to approximately 100,000 people daily. A new reservoir will also help to overcome the challenges of climate change and increased water stress in the West Country. It will be supplied with water from the Cheddar Yeo and when required the River Axe.
“The project also involves the upgrade and construction of new associated water pipelines across the region to enable the transfer of water southwest. In addition to building service reservoirs and pumping stations along the new pipelines, we will need to increase our water treatment capacity to enable the treatment of additional water stored by the new reservoir. The development of the second reservoir will also provide opportunities to improve local wildlife habitats and create recreational and community amenities. Development of the project will be overseen by the Regulators Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID), a partnership of the three national water regulators, Ofwat, the Environment Agency, and the Drinking Water Inspectorate. RAPID was formed to support and accelerate the development of new water supply infrastructure to meet future water needs.”
The reservoir is currently less that a third full with the levels still falling – rain is forecast this week but it will need weeks of rain to fill the reservoir – which is usually full by Christmas. Birdwatchers will be hoping that the white tailed eagle seen at Chew Valley lake recently makes a visit to the Res.
There was a discussion on social media this week about whether there was a farm that was demolished to make way for the current Res built in the 1930s. Barrows Wood Farm was removed – it was in the centre of the Res – along with several orchards, hundreds of tree and many hedges. There was a track and drove connecting the farm with a path continuing from Holwell Lane – which Bristol Water in their wisdom attempted to block with a fence but after it was knocked down repeatedly – sanity prevailed and they replaced it with a gate. When Cheddar Res 2 is built there are several farm buildings that would need to be demolished – assuming Res 2 is in the Hythe Lane area. The main graphic is from 2014 – but it looks a likely contender for the location of the Res 2.
Axbridge Court
The former nursing home in West Street has been empty for some time after Almondsbury Care Limited went bust and closed the home in 2022 making the staff redundant and the residents homeless. It also left creditors in the lurch and according to ICSM of Bridgwater it took some time to sort out their accounts with a creditors meeting held a year later. After it went into administration the property was largely empty but now a planning application has been put in to convert it into 21 ‘dwelling houses’ – which one may expect to be flats since there are 32 bedrooms in the two storey detached ‘cottage’. Originally built at the beginning of the 20th century as an Edwardian cottage hospital next to what was still essentially the work house Axbridge Court initially went on the market for £1.3m. BJ Campbell South West Ltd of Mark are behind the application.
For details of Axbridge Court Nursing Home – Planning Application 02/25/00020 visit https://sdc.somerset.gov.uk/planning_online?action=GetDetails&app=02/25/00020&p=Axbrid
There’s a public meeting in the town hall on Monday 8th September at 6pm when the developers will give a presentation of their plans. The public are invited to ask questions – which no doubt will include details such as parking, prices, facilities, access and whether the Edwardian building will be drastically altered. The normal town council will follow at 7pm when councillors will respond to the planning application to Somerset Council. A final decision is due on 20th September 2025 – comments can be made on the planning portal website.
Personal Note from Harry
I’ve been asked many times about this news feed – I write it for my own interest as I love the town and the area – and since it gets thousands of reads I realise there is a thirst for local news which is no longer supplied by The Gazette – a newspaper I worked for in the past as a sub-editor, feature writer and reporter. Everything I report on is in the public domain – I just put it together to make the stories which anyone could do. I don’t do investigative work as I’m not paid and my real job is to edit and write for a newspaper in Bath – sadly there’s very little overlap. If I get anything wrong – email me at harryfmottram@gmail.com
As regards the list of events I have included the date of the MP’s surgery in the town and the town council meetings – both important aspects of our civic life. Pop along to both and help to shape events and policies.
Calendar of events in Axbridge
Some Axbridge dates coming up. Send Axbridge events to me and I’ll try to keep the list updated. Email: harryfmottram@gmail.com I’ll also post on my website at www.harrymottram.co.uk and hopefully we can sort out a permanent calendar for the town soon.
Wed 27 Aug. Axbridge. Poetry evening at Axe Vale Arts Centre. 7pm.
Sat 30 Aug. Axbridge. Lamb Inn. Weston Ukulele Players. Cider Shed. 9pm. Free – proceeds will go to the Children’s Hospice South West.
Sun 31 Aug. Axbridge. Lamb inn. Pub quiz. 8pm.
Sat 6 Sep. Axbridge Farmers’ Market. 9am-1pm. The Square.
Sat 6 Sep. Axbridge Square. Coin collection – unwanted foreign coins being collected in aid of Friends of Axbridge Church as well as fashion jewellery (donated) & coffee & cake in the Town Hall during the market. From 10am.
Sat 6 Sep. Tessa Munt MP Wells and Mendip Hills Surgery at The Lamb Inn, Axbridge, 11am.
Mon 8 Sep. Axbridge Town Council Meeting. Town Hall. 7.30pm. Public welcome. See https://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/
Thu 18-Sat 20 Sep. Axbridge Fun Fair. Axbridge Square.
Friday 19 Sep. Cheddar Reservoir 2 Consultation. Axbridge Town Hall from 4-8pm.
Fri 19 Sep. Cross Memorial Hall. An evening with John Buckler. 7.30pm.
Sat, 20 Sep. Axbridge Carnival. 2pm. Procession through the town.
Sun 28 Sept. Axbridge. Axe Vale Arts Centre. Crumbs. Badapple Theatre. 7pm.
Fri 3 Oct, Axbridge. Music concert. Phil King in the Town Hall in aid of the carnival.
Sat 4 Oct. Axbridge Farmers’ Market. 9am-1pm. The Square.
Sat 4 Oct. Axbridge Square. Coin collection – unwanted foreign coins being collected in aid of Friends of Axbridge Church during the market.
Sat 4 Oct. Axbridge. St John’s Parish Church. Concert by Joyful Spirit Choir. 7.30pm. In aid of Friends of Axbridge Church.
Sun 5 Oct. Axbridge. Phil Hill in Concert. Carnival fundraiser. Town Hall. 7.15pm.
Mon 13 Oct. Axbridge Town Council Meeting. Town Hall. 7.30pm. Public welcome. See https://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/
Sat 1 Nov. Axbridge Farmers’ Market. 9am-1pm. The Square.
Mon 10 Nov. Axbridge Town Council Meeting. Town Hall. 7.30pm. Public welcome. See https://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/
Sat, 22 Nov: Axbridge Progressive Supper. 6pm-11.30pm.
Wed 26-Sat 29 Nov. Axbridge Town Hall. ACT present the play Vardy V Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial.
Sat 6 Dec. Axbridge Farmers’ Market. 9am-1pm. The Square.
Mon 8 Dec. Axbridge Town Council Meeting. Town Hall. 7.30pm. Public welcome. See https://www.axbridge-tc.gov.uk/
Sat 20 Dec. Axbridge Square. Santa in the Square celebrations.
Sun 21 Dec. Axbridge Square. Christmas Farmers’ Market. 10am.
Wed 31 Dec. Axbridge. New Year Celebrations in the Square. 11.59pm.
2029
Sat-Mon 25-27 Aug. Axbridge. Pageant/community play. 3pm The Square.
Axbridge News is edited by Harry Mottram and is published for the interest of himself and fellow residents.
Harry is a freelance journalist. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube etc
Email:harryfmottram@gmail.com
Website:www.harrymottram.co.uk
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