Site selection

Thorpe Hesley was identified as a potential site to pump and treat water as there is an open shaft into the mine which provides good underground connections into the mine workings. This means the pumping can influence a wider area within the mining block. The site has previously been used as a pumping station during mining operations which also indicates its suitability.

As well as mitigating the possible impact of rising mine water in the local area, the shaft is connected into relatively shallow mine workings. Pumping water at this location is expected to reduce flows to the deeper workings to the south.

The water we abstract here will contain less minerals and will be treatable using pumped-passive treatment. As well as being more environmentally beneficial, this is also less expensive to operate, saving the tax payer money.

Agricultural land selected for the scheme to be built, situated between Thorpe Hesley and Scholes

Several external factors were taken into consideration when planning a mine water treatment scheme including:

• A large enough area to build the scheme 
• Distance from the pumping station next to Wentworth Road (existing mine shaft) 
• Distance from residential properties and businesses
• Proximity of watercourses for discharge of treated water
• Sensitivity of the land we are building on e.g. ecology and designations

Design of the scheme has been undertaken and residents will have noted the activities associated with the pumping test and ground investigations. More intrusive surveys will follow such as tree clearance as well as drilling and grouting works within the construction area located to the south of the compound to improve accessibility. This will be followed later in Autumn 2024 by the start of construction for the treatment scheme.

Access track to the site will include slight tree clearance to improve accessibility to the site from here.

Site plan layout on the agricultural fields between Thorpe Hesley and Scholes.