WATER experts have resurrected controversial plans to build a reservoir south of Abingdon, claiming it is “inevitable”.

A panel at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) said Thames Water must “build consensus” to dig the reservoir, which would serve London and the South East.

Plans for a reservoir have been floating about since 1975 when the company started research into a proposed site bordering Steventon, Drayton and East Hanney.

In previous bids, Thames Water met fierce opposition from Vale of White Horse District Council, Abingdon Town Council and residents who claimed the huge reservoir would be an eyesore and a flood risk.

In a report released on Monday, ICE outlined Abingdon as one of three sites – alongside Beckton and Deephams in north east London.

The reservoir could not be built before 2030, the report said, because “previous political contention” meant it would take time to get consent.

Dave Wardle, chairman of the ICE London and South East Expert Water Panel, said: “At some time in the future, we will require a large scale water resource, such as the Abingdon Reservoir. Other solutions screened by Thames Water, wastewater treatment and raw water transfer, can be provided in a shorter timeframe.”

In 2011, the Government rejected Thames Water’s plans to build the reservoir on four miles of land, stating said there was no immediate need for it.

Robert Green, vice-chairman of Steventon Parish Council, said residents were still fiercely against the project.

He said: “We sent out a questionnaire last month and of the 65 per cent of people in the village who responded, 73 per cent still wanted us to oppose the reservoir.

“It’s not in a valley. It’s not in a natural place to put a reservoir. There really must be somewhere else where nature has already made a start. We, along with the other parish councils nearby, would like to lobby Thames Water.”

Lesley Lovell is secretary of the Group Against Reservoir Development (GARD), which was set up years ago to oppose the original plan.

Ms Lovell, who lives in Steventon, said: “We were ready for them to come back with the idea. We were expecting it.

“We are very much against it. This huge one – which they said last time would be 100 feet high – would be the biggest in Europe.”

Thames Water spokeswoman Sarah Davies said: “We welcome the ICE’s analysis. No decisions have yet been made over a new reservoir, but we do continue to consider it as an option in the longer-term.

“Over the next 10 years we aim to provide almost all of the additional water our customers will need through demand management – including substantial reductions in leakage, more metering and giving practical help and advice to promote using water wisely.”