A GIANT reservoir is to be created to the north of Colchester.

Work has started on quarrying at the site, which will then be filled with 1.8million cubic metres of water to double the capacity of the existing reservoir at Wick Farm, in Ardleigh.

The £4million extension will provide water for up to 40,000 homes in the area and will cover 150 acres.

It is likely to be in operation in about 15 years, after quarrying being carried out by SRC Aggregates, which began in January, has been completed.

The existing reservoir nearby contains 2.2million cubic metres of water.

Quarrying work started after Essex County Council granted planning permission for the scheme in 2007.

Martin Henderson is head of operations at Veolia Water East, which is part of the Ardleigh Reservoir Committee, along with Anglian Water and SRC Aggregates.

The companies own the reservoir and its water is supplied to their customers.

Mr Henderson said: “SRC digs out gravel, which earns it money, and, after it has dug it out, it is turned into a reservoir – so it is quite a good business proposal.”

“The idea is it will dig out 4million tonnes of gravel and create a 1.8million cubic metre reservoir.”

But Ardleigh parish councillor Richard Talbot said residents had raised questions about the scheme.

“The concerns are that the people running the companies now might not be around in several years’ time when they have promised to put water in.

“It will then be a big hole in the ground.”

Farmer Robert Blyth, one of the people who owns the land on which the work is taking place, said the farm had its own irrigation reservoir, so it would be unlikely to use the water from the new one.

He added: “It will be nice to have the finished article there that will be similar to a nature reserve at the end and it will make the area more picturesque.”

Mr Blyth said there was a badger sett near to the site which was being monitored and would eventually be re-homed at the reservoir.

He added: “The quarrying doesn’t seem to be affecting any of our wildlife and we are keen to maintain wildlife around the farm. If anything, it will hopefully increase wildlife around the area.”

There will also be restoration to lakes before the reservoir is constructed, with landscaping and an area of public open space.