| UPDATED NEWS - NOVEMBER 2005 ARK were concerned to discover during the Tottenham House planning process that Thames Water, a subsidiary of the German company RWE, were simultaneously the body responsible for advising the planners on water resources and the potential commercial water supplier. A similar situation appears to be true with other water companies across the country. This seems to ARK to raise a conflict of interests. We have written to Michael Ancram who has promised to raise the issue with the Government.
Tottenham House Golf Course Resort Hotel The water issue ARK are very concerned that this development in Savernake Forest is unsustainable because of the large volume of water needed to maintain an international standard golf course. This is in addition to the extra water needed to service the 350 guests and 400 employees at the hotel. At present the local water supply is not sufficient to meet these demands. ARK have made representations to the Planning Authority, the Environment Agency and Thames Water to ensure that River Kennet does not suffer from either increased water abstraction or pollution from this project. Outline of the proposed development The Golf Club Investment Holdings plc have applied to Kennet District Council to develop the Tottenham House Estate in Savernake Forest to create a Golf Resort Hotel of international standard which will open in 2008. The five star 276 double bedroom Resort Hotel with the 18 hole PGA standard golf course will create work for 400 employees. Both the greens and fairways will be watered. The environmental assessment acknowledges that the project could 'potentially lead to water shortages in the local area'. | 
