Villagers at Hartshead Moor have been consulted about a landscaping scheme to screen a new reservoir.

Yorkshire Water officials visited residents living close to the site in Halifax Road to ask them how they want it to look once the development is completed.

The company is to start work in January on building twin circular partially-buried concrete tanks and a valve house after Kirklees Council gave planning approval on December 2.

The first phase will involve building one of the tanks and the valve house on a field next to the existing reservoir.

This work is expected to be complete by the summer. Then work will begin on demolishing the present dilapidated reservoir - built in 1904 - and constructing the second tank in its place.

The scheme will be completed by the end of next year.

A YW spokesman said: "The tanks will be covered over with grass while lots of small trees and shrubs will be planted around the edge to screen the site from homes nearby.

"We visited residents living around the site to consult them about the landscaping scheme.

"We will also be sending out letters to the residents when work starts on the reservoir.''

Resident Jennifer Pearson, of Halifax Road, whose home overlooks the existing reservoir, said: "I think it's a great idea to plant trees and shrubs. It will mean a much better view for us.''

Resident John Gledhill, of nearby Sunnybank Close, said: "It will be better to look at trees than the building at the moment.''

Originally YW wanted to build the new reservoir in a Green Belt field further along Halifax Road but the Council refused planning permission after strong protests from villagers.

They claimed the reservoir would spoil views across the valley, cause traffic hazards and were worried about nuisance from noise and dust.

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