§ Mr. FlookTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when Curry Moor in Somerset was registered as a reservoir; what consultation, and with whom, there was ahead of the registration; what measures were taken to assess the social and environmental impact of the reservoir on Curry Moor; who has responsibility for the reservoir; and whether the reservoir has its completion certificate. [53309]
§ Mr. MeacherI understand that the Curry Moor embankment was built in the 12th century for flood protection. The Environment Agency was granted planning permission in July 1999 to carry out strengthening works to ensure its continuing safety as one of the agency's flood prevention works. These works started in May 2001 and have not yet been completed so no final certificate has been issued by the construction engineer. In recognition of its potential to retain a significant volume of water artificially, Somerset county council, as the enforcement authority for the purposes of the Reservoirs Act 1975, registered the embankment as946W forming part of a large raised reservoir in March 2002. Registration under the 1975 Act is necessary for all reservoirs which are designed to hold, or are capable of holding, more than 25,000 cubic metres of water above natural ground level. No consultation is required for registration purposes.