New Funding and Planning Changes to Support On-Farm Reservoirs
Farmers and growers could soon receive new financial support to invest in on-farm reservoirs, alongside changes intended to reduce planning barriers for vital agricultural infrastructure.
As part of a new £65 million drought support package for farmers in England, the Government has announced that the Water Management Grant will reopen, with up to £15 million available to support the construction of on-farm reservoirs.
The grant is expected to open in autumn 2026, with a focus on supporting water storage for crop irrigation and helping horticultural and arable businesses adapt to increasingly dry conditions and strengthen their long-term water resilience.
Building resilience against increasingly dry summers
The announcement follows an exceptionally dry summer which has placed significant pressure on farms across England, affecting crop production, irrigation supplies and water availability.
On-farm reservoirs can form an important part of a farm’s long-term water management strategy, allowing water to be captured and stored when it is available and retained for irrigation during periods of peak demand.
Investing in greater on-farm storage can help businesses reduce their reliance on abstraction during periods when water resources are under the greatest pressure, while providing greater certainty for future crop production.
Planning changes to support agricultural reservoirs
Alongside the new funding, the Government has also announced changes intended to reduce planning barriers for agricultural infrastructure, including on-farm reservoirs.
The Government has indicated that planning policy will make clearer that local authorities should support agricultural infrastructure such as reservoirs. It is also looking at how existing permitted development rights for agricultural reservoirs can be made easier for farmers to understand and use.
Together with the reopening of the Water Management Grant, these changes could help address two significant barriers to investing in additional farm water storage: the cost of construction and navigating the planning process.
Full details of the reopened Water Management Grant, including eligibility criteria, grant rates and eligible project costs, are expected to be confirmed ahead of its launch.
Plan now for future water security
With the grant expected to open this autumn, farmers considering a reservoir project should begin exploring their requirements and potential options early.
FGS Pilcher has extensive experience in the planning and construction of agricultural reservoirs and water storage infrastructure, providing support from feasibility and site investigation through to planning, earthworks, lining and construction.
Our recent work at Clock House Farm in Kent demonstrates how investment in water storage can strengthen long-term farm resilience.
FGS Pilcher constructed a new 25,000m³ irrigation reservoir as part of the fruit farm’s wider strategy to increase its on-site water storage capacity.
Using specialist earthmoving equipment and blue clay identified and excavated on site, the reservoir was completed in just six weeks, providing additional capacity to support the farm’s expanding irrigation network and helping to reduce reliance on constrained summer abstraction.
How FGS Pilcher can help
Whether you are considering a new reservoir, increasing existing storage capacity or reviewing the wider water resilience of your farm, our experienced team can support your project from the early stages through to construction.
Our reservoir services include:
- Feasibility and site assessment including soil structure trial holes
- Planning and design support
- Reservoir construction and earthworks
- Natural clay and synthetic liner solutions
- Extensions to existing reservoirs
- Associated drainage and water infrastructure
- Ongoing reservoir maintenance
With new funding and supportive planning changes on the horizon, now is a good time to start considering whether additional water storage could strengthen the long-term resilience of your farming business.
Planning a reservoir or water storage project?
Speak to FGS Pilcher about your requirements:
01233 860404
enquiries@fgspilcher.co.uk
