OXFORDSHIRE County Council has expressed further concerns about Thames Water's plans to build a reservoir the size of Heathrow near Abingdon.

It says its 'resolute message' is that 'residents’ interests come first' while scrutinising the plans during the company's second consultation.

Last month Thames was criticised by concerned residents in the Steventon area for a 'rushed' approach, during a consultation day at the village hall.

The council says it has 'concerns about the size and need for the reservoir' and will be seeking further clarity from Thames about whether other potential sites in the region have been fully assessed.

It says it will only decide whether to back the plan when more details are provided.

During the first consultation the council listed a number of concerns, before Thames made changes to its plans, including a pledge to reduce pipe leakage.

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John Disley, the council’s infrastructure strategy and policy manager, said: “There must be a careful balance between meeting the water needs of the South East and the more localised impacts.

“The interests of Oxfordshire residents must come first and we must protect the local environment. It’s our job to stand up for residents’ interests and [we will] do just that.”

Thames says it is acting on local and environmental concerns.

Residents can comment on the plan until November 28 at thameswater.co.uk/wrmp