Yorkshire Water could start preparatory work soon on a controversial spillway safety scheme at Marsden’s Butterley reservoir.

The company wants to revamp the listed Victorian reservoir overflow in the Wessenden Valley and won planning permission at an inquiry.

But a legal bid to halt the work has been going through and has delayed the start of the work.

Campaigner Colin Anderson is considering an appeal after his unsuccessful legal challenge over Butterley Spillway.

The Examiner reported on Saturday how a judge had rejected Mr Anderson’s claims that a public inquiry had been handled unfairly.

Mr Anderson, 66, of Golcar, said he had been denied the chance to outline an alternative at the hearing but a High Court judge backed the inspector’s decision.

While the court found that the inspector had breached the rules in undertaking her site visit before the inquiry, this did not render the inquiry unfair.

Colin Anderson - campaigning to save Butterley Spillway.

Mr Anderson is talking to his lawyers over a possible appeal and also wants to meet Yorkshire Water at a formal “planning mediation forum.”

He hopes to persuade the company to make changes to their plans to protect the historical features of the spillway.

Yorkshire Water insist the work has to be done if the reservoir is to remain safe.

They have lowered water levels in the reservoir by 8m to improve current safety levels but hope that they can start the major safety work soon.

The work on the spillway is expected to last for at least 18 months, after initial work to prepare the site.

Yorkshire Water have agreed to use more stone in the new plans instead of concrete but are adamant that the work has to be done to allow the spillway to meet 21st century safety standards.

A spokesman for the company said: “We welcome the High Court’s decision following the recent legal hearing. We’re now able to proceed with this essential safety work.

“Since 2012, we’ve been sure that we’ve had the best solution, which retains as many aspects of local heritage as possible whilst continuing to ensure the safety of thousands of people downstream of the reservoir.

“Throughout this process, we’ve engaged with local residents, stakeholders and interested parties and we’re committed to keeping them updated on our progress.”