EXPLORATORY work on land earmarked for a new reservoir between Staunton Country Park and Havant Thicket will be started by Portsmouth Water this month.

Small drilling rigs and earth diggers will arrive ready to take soil samples and install monitors to measure underground water levels.

Soil and groundwater investigations in November and December will involve temporary boreholes and shallow grassland excavations.

Portsmouth Water owns the 395-acre site – the area of 224 football pitches, and stretching a mile from east to west and half a mile from north to south – and intends to submit a planning application for a reservoir there in late 2020.

It would hold 1,913 million gallons of water and supply 4.6 million gallons per day. In winter it would be filled with surplus water from the Bedhampton springs.

It is being developed with Southern Water and would be the first one built in south-east England since the 1970s.

Portsmouth Water is also working with Staunton Country Park, Hampshire County Council and Forestry England on the plans.

Chief executive Bob Taylor said: “It’s an exciting time as we take these vital first steps on the ground to gather information to inform the design of the reservoir.

“While we don’t expect any disruption for local residents, we will be doing all we can to minimise the impact of the work.”

Working hours will be restricted to 8am–6pm weekdays and 8am–1pm on Saturdays, and the footpaths and public bridleway will remain open.

For more details, or to give views on the proposal, visit portsmouthwater.co.uk/havant-thicket-reservoir or the Facebook page @HavantReservoir