Email received 3.10.2025 from Northumbrian Water Limited

Dear Angela

Thank you for taking the time to write to Heidi and me on behalf of Springwell Village Residents’ Association (SVRA). Heidi is close to all discussions, including communications with you and SVRA, on the project at Springwell and has asked me to respond on her behalf. I will continue to keep her apprised as we progress to completion of this critical infrastructure project.

I understand that living near a large and complex construction site can be challenging and emotive. I appreciate that the work undertaken with our partners Mott MacDonald Bentley(MMB) has brought change to your community, and that at times it has caused disruption – even though we have worked hard to mitigate its impacts and be good neighbours. I acknowledge that strong engagement and transparent dialogue are necessary for ensuring trust during multi-phase projects spanning several years, and I’m sorry that despite trying hard to sustain that trust we have fallen short of your expectations.

I have worked with senior expert colleagues to answer the points you raise below. I hope that our detailed response gives clarity and helps to rebuild trust. In addition to the information below, I’d like to suggest that we bring some of these key people – alongside Paul and Donna – to the next SVRA meeting on 22 October, so that we can help to clarify this information and answer any further questions you may have. I’m available to discuss setting this up with you, or you can contact Amanda, Donna, or Paul as per the established process for these meetings.

Turning now to the points you raised in your letter:

Reservoir Roof Design – A Change for Water Quality and Safety When I wrote to you last year, on 13 and 19 November, I set out a comprehensive response on the points made about the materials used to finish the reservoir roof. Our position on this has not and cannot change as the reservoir build is complete and the engineered solution for the roof is completed and in place. Whilst I appreciate our views on this are likely to continue to differ, I hope the information shared below, which I have copied from my response last year, makes clear that the reasons for the change to planning in 2022 were borne from a focus onwater quality and best practice:

‘With regards to your request to replace the gravel roof with a grass one, there is less opportunity for us to take on board thoughts and views, though we do still value them in regard to the finishes and/or screenings we can achieve once the gravel roof has been successfully installed.

Our original planning application permission included a service reservoir to store potable water with an earth-covered roof topped with grass, as you know. In the period after the original planning permission application was granted Northumbrian Water adopted the recommendations from UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) in their latest guidance for ‘Treated Water Storage Assets: Good Practice for Operation and Management – version 2’. This industry-wide guidance recommends the use of a 200mm minimum depth of rounded gravel/shingle as it provides the best protection for water quality standards, which essentially means protecting the water we supply to customers. It is also easier to remove this covering when needing to access the membrane for inspection or repair, as well as requiring less ongoing maintenance (only periodic weeding) as it does not support the growth of vegetation. We received planning permission for this variation and will continue with this approach; it is not a decision we will change now. This is both because the engineering design has been completed with this construction-type designed-in, and because the gravel roof has been chosen as the best technical solution for the project, in keeping with industry best practice in relation to water quality standards for the customers we serve.

I appreciate this may be disappointing, but we have been clear on this approach for some time, and have also shared the materials that will be used, at some of our engagement sessions – including Richard sharing at an SVRA meeting when the change was made, and Sarah working with the residents of Mount Park View to enable them to choose their preferred gravel from a choice of 3 materials in July this year. We can and will continue to engage on what screening may be possible, as we move forward to completion. Again, we are happy to talk further about those elements as is useful.’

I understand that this topic remains emotive, so it may be helpful to summarise three main points that support this change and explain why it reflects best practice. It enables us to:

• Better protect the quality of the water we supply to you and your neighbours

• Make inspections and maintenance easier and less disruptive

• Reduce long-term upkeep, as gravel does not support vegetation growth

When Paul and Donna present our broader landscaping plans at the October SVRA meeting, I am confident that residents will see our clear and detailed commitment to the biodiversity of the reservoir site. We would also like to invite our lead ecologist to the meeting to share more detail on our commitment to biodiversity net gain (BNG) on the project.

Project timelines

There has been slippage on the original timelines shared at project outset and whilst delays on a project of this scale are quite typical, we are sorry that they have extended the construction period. We have been open about the delays in our meetings with the local community and we will, as always, reflect on your feedback and seek to improve our communication for this and other projects.

We are at a critical phase of the project, and progress with backfill and reinstatement – guided by our wagon movement plan – is crucial for meeting deadlines. We remain confident that we will complete by end of April 2026 and will share information promptly with residents if this changes.

Ground Levels and site landscaping

Whilst it is true that we reached competent rock (or bedrock) at some points during excavation, this did not prevent us from reaching the required excavation depth, and the top elevation of the reservoir is not higher than originally stated. As such, there is no impact to planning consents or expected ground levels.

In terms of wider landscaping, it may also be useful to be clear that while the structure is below ground level on the northern side, the natural slope of the land means it currently appears raised in other areas. Once construction of the backfill material is complete, the ground will be carefully graded and landscaped to blend with the surrounding environment. As stated above, we will look to share more detailed landscaping plans in relation to this at the SVRA meeting in October and beyond as we complete this project.

Security Fencing

We apologise for recent communication regarding the height of the security fence. As shared by Amanda on 26 September; after careful consideration, further discussion and consultation with our security team and partners, we are pleased to be able to share that the height of the fence will be reduced from 2.4 metres to 1.8 metres.

This decision reflects a careful balance between maintaining site security and recognising and responding to community concerns about visual impact. The reduction in planned height is possible due to the enhanced onsite security measures we have been able to put in place in close collaboration with our security teams. These improvements allow us to maintain the necessary level of protection while also being responsive to views expressed within the local community.

When Richard and I communicated last year that we were able to reduce the fence height to 1.8m last year we didn’t expect that it would change, so it was disappointing for everyone that Paul and Donna had to share the potential change – reflected in the planning application you note – at the last SVRA meeting. However, further discussion and work in recent weeks has ensured that we can maintain the 1.8m fence height promised last year, and I can confirm that the fence has been ordered. The order reflects the colour and material shared by Richard and Sarah, and which was chosen by residents in meetings specifically about the fence. We are happy to bring some samples of the fence material to the October meeting. For transparency, we will now submit a non-material amendment to the planning application on this point.

As well as reviewing the height of the security fence, we have also been working hard to assess the viability of amending the location of the fence line in response to the discussions we’ve had with the community over many months. We are pleased to be able to share that following detailed discussion with our security and operations teams we have been able to reach agreement on some changes to the previously proposed fence line, and we will shortly share a drawing which illustrates this, and we can discuss at the SVRA meeting.

Again, it’s a careful balance of site security, operational access and safety requirements as well as acknowledging community feedback about visual impact. The outcome of extensive discussion and deliberation is that parts of the fence will remain in the original location (North of reservoir) due to security requirements as well as operational need for NWL vehicular access to maintain the reservoir; and parts of the fence alignment will move inward (East and West of reservoir) to allow more space for the public, reflecting preferences shared during engagement.

Being transparent, these changes to reflect the community’s preferences mean we will also be submitting a non-material amendment to planning in relation to this point. There are a couple of other small amendments which will also be included, namely: removal of control building; relocation of the crane pad and widening of the access track; and change to the shape of the SUDs features.

We are more than happy to bring copies of drawings that show the fence line etc to the next SVRA meeting and remain confident that this will complete by end April 2026 as stated previously.

Northern Access Road – Tarmac surface

We understand frustrations about the change to the northern access road surface and want to explain our decision. Constructing a Tarmac access road instead of Grasscrete follows NWG’s current best practice standards and is based on Tarmac’s superior durability, strength, and ease of maintenance. Tarmac reliably supports heavy machinery, prevents rutting or failure, provides safer year-round access, and reduces slip hazards and/or operational delays, enabling safer and more efficient working – especially in wetter weather. In contrast, Grasscrete, though more permeable, needs more upkeep and doesn’t withstand heavy use as well, which could lead to further significant work requirements in time. Overall, Tarmac offers the most practical and cost-effective solution for long-term infrastructure access and safety, which is why it is our preferred design.

We acknowledge that this change has caused some initial disappointment, but the change has been made for both operationally significant reasons, and the long-term benefit of the site. We are working hard to ensure landscaping and careful design, including the level of the access road, minimise visual impact. We will share some options regarding the finish of the Tarmac at the SVRA meeting on 22 October. Again, for transparency, we will shortly be submitting a non- material amendment to planning permission in relation to this point.

Backfilling and reinstatement – wagon movements and access routes

We’re now in the critical backfilling and reinstatement phase of the project where the landscape of the site will really begin to change and be shaped to its enduring state. We recognise that this key phase involves substantial work. Our plans aim to minimise disruption to residents and the local area, though some impact will be unavoidable. We shared our plans as early as we could, writing to residents on 20 August 2025 to explain what we’re doing and why.

As outlined in that letter, we are constructing a new access road at the North East corner of the site, connecting to Mount Park Road. This development will facilitate more efficient completion of essential backfilling activities and is expected to reduce the overall period of disruption. The new access point will be designated for entry only and will form part of a one-way system designed to uphold site safety, improve traffic management, and minimise inconvenience to the local community.

Using the North East access helps deliver the project efficiently, reduces wagon idle time in the community which we know could cause disruption, and takes advantage of dry weather to avoid winter delays. With the reservoir now constructed and occupying space on the site, adaptations to how we safely and efficiently manage site movements to complete the backfill, reinstatement and landscaping phases need to be made as we progress to completion. Using only Mount Lane would considerably impact to how we could effectively and safely manage traffic flow.

Whilst we acknowledge points made around the access on Mount Park Road, trade-off exists between the number of intra-day wagon movements and the duration over which they occur. Fewer daily movements mean the process will take more days, as wagons are always loaded to optimal capacity. The total material required for safe and effective backfill and reinstatement remains constant; only the frequency or duration of wagon activity can vary. As such, we have worked hard with MMB to ensure that we’re striking the best balance here and we have made several pledges to ensure that we remain cognisant of potential community impact.To recap on information shared already, we pledged that we will minimise disruption through:

• Most deliveries will use the Mount Lane entrance, with the North Access Road used onlywhen it helps progress.

• Banksmen on site to manage vehicle movements safely.

• No wagons waiting on public roads.

• Dust suppression using a tractor and bowser.

• Road sweeper daily to manage any unexpected incidents

• Wheel washers and road sweeping to keep roads clean.

• Reduced movements during peak traffic times.

• Ongoing reviews to ensure we’re working safely and efficiently.

We have heard concerns about the road surface of Mount Lane and continue to work with the local council regarding this. We have been assured it will be resurfaced after project completion and will keep in contact with the council on the scheduling for this. Meanwhile, we will also request the necessary pothole repairs to maintain safety and readiness for increased activity in the coming months. We will also write directly to customers living closest to the area, with more information about the actions we’re taking.

I appreciate that you have contacted Amanda and Donna separately this week about the road sweeper point, and I know they will respond to this directly.

Landscaping of site and biodiversity I appreciate your acknowledgement that all parties are agreed that effective landscaping is akey priority. Together with MMB we have developed a comprehensive and detailed landscaping plan which sets out a clear intent to increase biodiversity on the site. We have already committed to share updates on that in the meeting on 22 October, and as noted above I think it would be useful for our lead ecologist to join the meeting and talk through key elements to the plan and why the shrubbery, trees, species and approach we have chosen will help us increase biodiversity and leave the environment richer than how we found it. We will also share a more detailed version of the plan.

Here is the information we shared in 2024, and of course we are now moving closer to the point in time where we will be able to begin to focus on this phase of work:

‘For you, our customers, the village will be home long after our project is finished. So, we want to let you know about how we plan to leave our working areas. We want to reassure you that, as a partnership, we see this as a very important element of the project, and also to explain how we plan to leave a biodiversity net gain (BNG) for the area. During the process, it has been necessary to remove some trees and hedges. Where this has happened, we will be replacing them.

On the eastern side of the reservoir site, we will be adding 28 new trees. These will be feathered trees – which have branches all the way down the trunk,1.8 to 2.1 metres in height, to ensure they establish themselves quickly. Species will include oak, field maple, wild cherry, bird cherry and goat willow. Where trees are removed from the pipeline route, they will be replaced on a three to one basis, or as otherwise agreed with landowners. Generally, these will be like for like, in terms ofspecies, unless this is not possible, such as where those removed are ash (due to ash dieback disease). In such cases, replacements will be suitable native species. We will use mixed native species for replacement of those hedges removed, and for filling gaps. This will include hawthorn, blackthorn, holly, hazel and crab apple. You can see an example of similar hedgerow replacements we have delivered in these pictures from Mosswood Water Treatment Works. We are progressing plans for hedgerow restoration, and we anticipate that on the reservoir site the new hedgerows will enable us to achieve up to four times the amount lost in meterage.

Working with landowners, we are offering to replace any removed section of hedgerow with a more diverse mix of native species than existed previously, which were typically just dominated by one species, such as hawthorn. This will create a better habitat for a wider range of species. More broadly, the land we have leased from others will be returned to the state it was in before we arrived, or better condition. Hedges planted on third party land will be managed by landowners as part of their usual maintenance activity, while hedges on our reservoir site will be subject to five years of carefulmaintenance to support their establishment and then cut as and when required.

BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN (BNG): Our BNG commitment for this scheme will ensure an overall increase in biodiversity on the site – leaving the environment richer than we found it. Whilst the project was approved before biodiversity net gain commitments were embedded into planning legislation, we have worked with the local planning authorities to come up with a landscaping scheme that will achieve a net gain. For example, our plan is to create a native species rich grassland on the reservoir site. This grassland will be comprised of a range of native grasses and wildflowers like meadow crane’s bill, ox-eye daisy, red clover and bedstraw. An appropriate wetland grassland mix will also be planted in the sustainable drainage detention basin, planned for the Mount Lane edge of the site. We’ll be leaving the species-rich grassland to grow during the summer months rather than typically cutting throughout the summer. This will allow the native species to flower and set seed which will also provide a valuable source of nectar to pollinating insects like bees. And then in the autumn we’ll do a cut and collect, mimicking traditional hay meadow management to maintain a diverse species mix.

For ease I’ve also attached a copy of the full newsletter. We believe that the plan we have developed, and which forms the blueprint of how we will begin to bring the site into its final reinstated form, is well-informed and demonstrates a strong commitment to ensuring both a biodiverse and enriched environment at our reservoir site. To assist understanding, at the meeting we will also share a table that shows the expected height/growth of all species at 1, 5 and 30 years, which we hope is useful. We do though also take onboard feedback shared about mature trees and whilst we are confident that the plan we have created comprises a strong and appropriate mix of trees, shrubs and hedgerows, we are giving this point further thought and are working through whether there is further enhancement we could make.

We are keen, when the time is right early next year, to engage with the local community – particularly local schools and community groups – in some nature and learning activities; for example, creating some bug hotels which the children can visit and interact with on the site to learn more about biodiversity. We are also keen to explore opportunities for the community to work with us on things like sponsoring and/or dedicating trees to create a strong link with the site as it matures.We’re very open to ideas in this regard, and welcome suggestions for meaningful engagement from you and the SVRA, as well as other stakeholders that we will reach out to in this respect, so the community feels involved.

I’ve covered a lot of ground here in replying to your points, so I hope that the reassurance and clarity is useful. We hope that we can all continue to work together – not only through the remaining phases of the project but also once it is complete so that we can continue to play a supportive role in the local community.

I would like to thank you – and other residents – for your continued patience whilst we work through the final reinstatement and landscaping phases of the project, which we will continue to seek to deliver both safely, securely and with our customers in mind.

With best regards,

Dawn

Dawn Creighton (she/her)

Head of Customer Strategy and Experience