The Government has announced that Thames Water's Teddington DRA application is to follow a national planning process.

The controversial scheme would see water being taken from the Thames by Teddington Weir, transferring it through existing underground tunnels to the Lee Valley reservoirs, and then replacing it with treated wastewater from Mogden Sewage Treatment Works. 

Steve Barclay MP and Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, confirmed that "…the principle elements of the proposed Teddington Direct River Abstraction project and supporting submissions be treated as a development of national significance for which development consent is required."

This means that Thames Water will be able to apply for planning permission at a national Government level, directly from the Secretary of State.

In a statement on the local campaign group Save our Lands and River's website it says: "We expect their application will be made in early 2026, bypassing the local Government planning permission processes that are determined by Richmond, Hounslow and Kingston councils.

"SOLAR views this decision with dismay for the reasons set out in our letter to Defra, on our website here."

They added: "We consider the TDRA scheme proposal does not remotely fulfil the criteria required to reflect a scheme of national significance."

Local Councillors have responded to this news on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter):

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Alexander Ehmann, Cllr for St Margaret's and North Twickenham said: "Unsurprised, but absolutely appalled by such a hasty and anti-localist decision by @SteveBarclay.

"Ripping up local parks, excavating under homes and despoiling our Capital's river deserve local scrutiny of @thameswater,not nodding-dog subservience."

Twickenham Councillor, Katie Mansfield said: "Tory minister who generally votes against climate change measures takes @thameswater abstraction proposals down national route, overriding Richmond Council who have strong track record of considering environmental impact to Thames & local parks. Won't stop us fighting for better solution."

Cllr Andrée Frieze, Cllr for Ham, Petersham & Richmond Riverside also responded:

A spokesperson from Thames Water said: ""With London's population forecast to grow to 12million by 2050 and the UK set to experience more extreme heat events, the Teddington Direct River Abstraction project is a cost-effective option that will help us meet future demand during drought and ensure we keep the taps flowing for our customers. 

"The Development Consent Order (DCO) is an open and transparent process, managed at the national level, which will enable customers, communities and stakeholders to have their say.

"We will continue to engage with the public, informing them of our plans and listening to their views."