Developer could be to blame for drop in pond water level

A SURVEY has found changes in groundwater movement could be the cause of declining levels in a village pond.

Sonning Common Parish Council commissioned it following months of declining water levels in Widmore Pond, off Widmore Lane.

The hydrological survey found unintended changes in groundwater movement in the area surrounding the pond, including land occupied by Inspired Villages.

It said the construction site, for 130 homes, could be influencing changes in the inflow.

At a meeting of the parish council on Monday last week, parish clerk Andy Donachie said the council had already met with Inspired Villages and will do so again in the new year.

He said that it had provided additional site information which had been passed back to the consultants and will inform a final report.

Mr Donachie said: “I want to thank the residents for their patience and support while the details of next steps come to light. Our aim is the same as yours, to understand the problem properly and to take responsible action based on evidence.”

Mr Donachie said the report found effects related to drainage arrangements and underground structures are suspected to be influencing water flow into the pond but are likely to be unintended.

He said: “We welcome Inspired Villages’ willingness to work collaboratively with us. Once the final report is issued, we will meet with them again to consider any recommended actions or monitoring.”

Tom Fort, who was sat in the public gallery, said: “Has the possibility been raised of approaching Inspired Villages to make a financial contribution to offset the cost to the council, not only of this report, but of stopping the pond drying out in the summer, given it looks likely that it’s their fault?”

Councillor Vicky Boorman, who chairs the council, said: “This is partly why we are meeting with Inspired Villages, to explore all of the options.”

The council has said it is also exploring a programme of enhancements to the pond area, including replacing sections of fencing, repairing steps and a makeover for the wooden duck nesting site known as “Duckingham Palace”.

Villagers alerted the council that the water level had dropped significantly about a year ago. By the spring it had dropped by 5ft and the parish council obtained a licence to pump more than 500,000 litres of water into it over the summer.

The licence was part-funded by Inspired Villages.