Save Aldenham Reservoir

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This page is managed by Elstree & Borehamwood Residents Association
The dam its surface area is 55 acres It was built between 1795 and 1797 by the Grand Junction Canal Company, to control the water levels in the River Colne ,

Response from Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council to Application Ref: 26/1259/MPO
30/09/2026

Response from Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council to Application Ref: 26/1259/MPO

26/09/2026

Save Aldenham Reservoir (SAR) Residents Campaign Group:
Comment to Planning Application
26/1259/MPO with Hertsmere Borough Council

Jewel of Hertsmere - the owners of Aldenham Reservoir - have applied to Hertsmere Borough Council Planning for permission to have the Section 106 Agreement changed in interpretation.

The 106 Agreement stipulated that works to repair Aldenham Reservoir dam should be “ substantially commenced” before works to the Employment Development Land opposite the Reservoir can commence.

Survey work has begun on the dam to a cost to date of £1.4 million. Technical issues have been encountered which has slowed progress. It is envisaged that physical dam remediation building works will begin in January 2027.

Under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 there is a strict legal distinction between “ preliminary/ preparatory works” ( like surveys) and “substantial works” or the “commencements of development”.

“Substantial” implies a degree of permanence and significant capital expenditure on the actual benefits being secured.

It is SARs opinion based on the o formation presented in the application that this stage of “substantial commencement” has not yet been reached on repair works to the dam.
We do not believe it is fair or reasonable to modify the 106 Agreement at this stage.

Surely, if granted, this would set a precedent in Hertsmere
and dilute the planning and legal control measures that HBC holds to ensure development in line with planning approval?

The decision on this application will be taken by Hertsmere Planning.

Liberty Aldenham and Jewel of Hertsmere in March 2026 sold the land opposite with the building permission to Padrock.

Padrock intends to build a £120 million gross development value urban logistics and multi-let industrial hub. This project will consist of 13 high specification units spanning roughly 245,000 square feet.

Planning permission for the land opposite the Reservoir was granted under the principle of “enabling development” - that is that the new enabling development would fund and secure the long term future and conservation of the heritage asset being Aldenham Reservoir and dam.

The principle of enabling development should be the minimum level of development required to secure the heritage asset.

At the planning committee, some members on the panel and SAR raised concerns about the proportionality of development.
The dam repair costs in 2023 were estimated to be in the region of £3-5 million. It is not in the public domain as to what the estimated dam repair costs are currently.

Residents can respond to this Planning Application via the Hertsmere Planning portal
Or via email:
[email protected]
Quoting the Reference

Current Application re AldenhamReservoir with Hertsmere Borough Council Planning
26/09/2026

Current Application re Aldenham
Reservoir with Hertsmere Borough Council Planning

30/06/2026

Comments by a Labour councillor obtained by this newspaper suggest votes for a planning application on green belt land near a reservoir could have been influenced ahead of a hearing.

19/03/2026

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Strabag UK to Repair Aldenham Reservoir:

Strabag UK has secured a two-year contract from Jewel of Hertsmere Limited to rebuild the Aldenham Reservoir dam in Hertfordshire, an earth-fill embankment about 9 m high, 480 m long and impounding roughly 539,000 m³. Works include constructing a new embankment with an 8 m deep slurry wall, butyl liner and rock armour to address performance concerns and reduce downstream flood risk. The scheme also delivers a new reinforced concrete spillway, stilling basin and weir, plus a replacement footbridge and crest-top public footpath.
Technical Brief

Contract spans a two-year programme of surveys, detailed design and construction starting immediately.
Client is Jewel of Hertsmere Limited, with Strabag UK acting as main design-and-build contractor.
Aldenham Reservoir, built circa 1795 for Grand Union Canal compensation flows, is now a leisure amenity.
Previous remedial works were undertaken but judged insufficient to ensure long-term embankment performance and integrity.
Safety driver is reduction of downstream flood risk to nearby communities from potential dam performance issues.

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Elstree
WD63BA

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