Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the timetable is for the White Horse Reservoir (formerly the South East Strategic Reservoir Option) to move from pre-application to a submitted application; what role her Department has played in progressing it; and whether it will be treated as a priority alongside the Fens and Lincolnshire reservoirs.

White Horse Reservoir would provide up to 271 million litres of water per day, strengthening water security across the South-East. It passed RAPID Gate 3 and is preparing a planning application expected later in 2026. Defra supports delivery through programme coordination and resolving delivery issues. It remains a government priority.