Planners have given the go-ahead for a water storage reservoir to be built within Stanninghall Quarry on Norwich Road in Horstead, near the River Bure north of Norwich.

The reservoir, covering approximately two hectares, will occupy the north-western corner of the quarry site where soil has already been stripped and minerals exhausted. It will be sealed with a waterproof liner to retain water abstracted during winter months, reducing the farmer's reliance on groundwater pumping through the rest of the year.

The Environment Agency reviewed hydrological assessments for the area and raised no objections. Because the reservoir sits above a groundwater protection zone, the liner is a key condition of approval to prevent any risk of leaching into the ground below.

The committee heard that Norwich International Airport was consulted during the planning process, given that open water can attract birds and increase the risk of bird strikes on approach to the runway. Conditions in the permission require the landowner to manage this risk on an ongoing basis.

Access to the reservoir will be restricted by a 1.5-metre fence and a secure gate. The site is privately owned and no public access is proposed. Both residential properties near the site are owned by the applicant.

The restoration of the entire quarry site, including the reservoir, must be completed by 2038. After that date, Norfolk County Council will monitor the land to ensure it returns to productive agricultural use before oversight eventually ends.

The committee voted unanimously to approve the application at its meeting on 19 June 2026.