A campaign to save an historic reservoir spillway is to be stepped up.
Protesters today voiced their disappointment when Yorkshire Water confirmed they are to appeal against a Kirklees Council decision to reject renovation works at the Butterley spillway.
The company insists work has to be done to guarantee the safety of the Victorian spillway above Marsden.
They were disappointed when the council rejected their plans in January but are now to appeal.
However, a huge campaign against the plans has been running for two years and will now be stepped up.
A spokesman for the Save Butterley Campaign said: “Yorkshire Water Group are to appeal the refusal. No surprise but very, very, very disappointing. They really aren’t listening."
Butterley Reservoir’s stone spillway was built between 1891 and 1906 to cope with overflows during periods of heavy rain.
Yorkshire Water, which owns the reservoir, had applied to rebuild the spillway to make it “fit for purpose” but objectors said they wanted to replace much of the stonework with concrete.
The Grade II listed reservoir had been included on the Victorian Society’s list of the 10 most endangered buildings in England and Wales in 2012.
A YW spokesman said: “Since January 2012, Yorkshire Water has been consulting with residents and stakeholders about safety improvements to the overflow at Butterley Reservoir.
“The company has looked at spillway options and submitted a planning application for the only workable solution that delivers the necessary safety requirements. Yorkshire Water was disappointed that the planning committee of Kirklees Council recently refused its planning and listed building consent applications, especially as they were recommended for approval by council officers.
“After considerable reflection since this meeting and further consultation, Yorkshire Water has decided to appeal the decision by Kirklees Council. The company’s main priority is the safety of both the community of Marsden, and Yorkshire Water’s employees responsible for building and maintaining its assets. All other alternative measures to this proposal have been ruled out on engineering and safety grounds”.
John Bond of Yorkshire Water said: “The improvements are needed because the spillway plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of thousands of homes, not only in Marsden but further down the valley. We’re very aware of the local interest in the spillway but would like to reassure people that we’ve worked hard to ensure they are left with something that will not only keep them safe, but maintain their pride in the skills of Victorian engineers.”
Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney, who has opposed the plans, said: “I’m extremely disappointed. The company have not come back with other feasible options to carry out the work.
“We have not tried to put heritage before safety”
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