We are a group of local people who are desperately trying to prevent the destruction of 14 hectares of ancient woodland and grassland at Havant Thicket and Staunton Country Park. 

Portsmouth Water is proposing the construction of an immense deep water storage reservoir on the Hampshire site, with the purpose of servicing the projected water shortages of neighbouring counties of the South East. Local people will not only lose their local woodland, live under the shadow of an enormous reservoir but the water held will not even be designated for their use.

And although we fully understand the importance and need for water conservation in a time of such drastic climate change, Portsmouth Water do have other options and methods available to them.

At a time when the protection of mature trees and established ecosystems has never been more prevalent, the conservancy of our most precious ancient woodland at Havant Thicket and throughout the UK is also an intrinsic part of the fight against the climate emergency.

“Havant Thicket is this special place that forms part of the historic Forest of Bere which dates back almost a thousand years to 1086," the Woodland Trust said.

It is one of our rarest habitats. It has lain undisturbed for centuries, evolving into a delicate eco-system capable of supporting thousands of species of birds, mammals, invertebrates, lichens, mosses, flowers and plants.

Havant Thicket is well documented as having 15 species of bat, including Bechsteins Bat (All Bats are Protected), Nightjars (Endangered), Glow worms (Drastically Declining), Adders (Endangered), Hazel Dormouse ( Endangered), Woodcocks, Slow worms  to name just a few. Their habitats will be lost and wildlife will be sadly displaced.

The area is very popular with local residents, used for rambling, picnicking, kids play, dog walking, forest bathing etc. It is a much needed idyllic getaway from the encroaching built-up area of Leigh Park, Waterlooville and Portsmouth.

Although there will be access to the site once built, local communities have been misinformed that the reservoir will be available for recreational use, as no swimming, water sports or fishing will be allowed on the grounds of "safety issues" due to the depth of the water, strong underwater currents and how cold the water will be. 

Not only will the residents lose their ancient woodland but the reservoir is proposed to be built very very close to local houses and Portsmouth Water have not fully informed local communities on the impact of having a reservoir constructed on their doorstep,  including possible flooding risks and inevitable rises in home insurance. 

This may seem like ‘just another petition’ for ‘just another local woodland’  in a place you’ve never heard of, but we all need to get together and stop this ongoing National trend of losing our green spaces in the UK. Because soon it will be a small woodland on your doorstep too… 

Please help us in preventing the destruction of Havant Thicket, help us keep our residents safe, help us save our local wildlife and keep this rare and beautiful natural habitat for our local communities and our future generations.

Please help us make Portsmouth Water responsible for protecting wildlife and conserving ancient woodland and ecosystems. Help us to get Portsmouth Water to  invest in using a different option rather than taking the cheapest one and flooding our ancient woodlands…

Together we can do it. 

Ancient woodland once gone, can never ever be replaced! 

STOP THE CHOP!