Disruption is expected for residents near to Toddbrook Reservoir after plans to restore and repair the dam, which was in danger of collapse in 2019, were given the go-ahead by councillors. 

Measures will be put in place for the duration of the two-year project in Whaley Bridge, but members of High Peak Borough Council’s Development Control Committee heard the constraints of the site meant for some considerable disruption could not be avoided. 

Councillors approved the application by the Canal and River Trust subject to more than 40 conditions and there being no further comments from the Local Flood Authority. 

Expected to cost between £12 million and £16 million the aim of the project is to protect public safety, control flood risk downstream, allow continued operation of the canal network, allow for leisure and recreation, and bring landscape and ecology benefits. 

During the meeting, two people spoke out against the proposals. 

Resident Anna Cox, who will be completely surrounded by the works, raised concerns over the negative impact it will have. 

She urged members to defer the decision until solutions were provided to the issues the development will have on residents including tighter controls on vehicle movements. 

Graham Aldred also spoke in opposition of the reservoir and dam being there and said he had five major areas of concern stating that the proposal was “totally unsafe” and the “construction sequence wrong.” 

“This application must be rejected,” he told the committee. 

An artist impression of Toddbrook dam. Image credit: The Canal and River Trust. 

The meeting heard that an independent engineer, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State responsible, has assessed the scheme's safety and suitability. 

The proposed scheme features construction of a new concrete channel across the body of the dam. Water would run between a newly constructed weir and tumble bay, into the channel, through a pair of turret structures. 

The change means existing buildings, car park and boat storage area used by Toddbrook Sailing Club will be replaced at a different location and a new vehicular access onto Reservoir Road. 

A representative of The Canal and Rivers Trust told the meeting the scheme was needed in the interest of safety, to ensure a water supply for the canals of the region and for significant community and ecological benefits. 

He said it was a constrained site and management was in place for construction vehicles and they would continue to keep residents and stakeholders informed throughout. 

Councillor David Lomax, moving approval of the scheme, thanked the officers for their detailed report and The Canal and Rivers Trust for the way they have consulted with people over the last couple of years to get feedback. 

“In terms of the planning application I think it is an acceptable design and I think it has some real benefits.”  

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