REVIVED plans for a £100 million reservoir in Canterbury big enough to serve thousands of new homes in Ashford have shocked protestors who thought the battle was won years ago.

Mid Kent Water announced rejuvenated plans for a one-and-a-half mile reservoir between Tyler Hill and Broad Oak this week.

A similar proposal was defeated at public inquiry in 1976 following fierce opposition from villagers and conservationists.

Penny Reilly, who led the original campaign, has vowed to fight this latest plan.

A controversial revised scheme remained a discussion point until 1996 when Mid Kent Water conceded there was no immediate need for it.

But in its Water Resource Strategy for Kent released on Monday, it says government plans for 31,000 new homes in Ashford and rising demand from existing customers now make the reservoir a necessity to ensure sufficient water over the next 25 years.

The massive man-made lake would flood some properties which were compulsorily purchased by Mid Kent Water in 1974, but the company promises it is approaching the scheme very differently this time.

Last time it was estimated 16 properties would make way for the reservoir, but this time cautious early estimates from the company predict the number would remain within single figures, including non residential properties such as barns.

It says it wants to work with conservation groups and hopes the reservoir will eventually be considered an asset by residents, which could be used for sailing and watersports.

Spokesman Trevor Bishop said it would not flood properties in Tyler Hill village, nor drastically affect established areas of woodland.

It would not require the flooding of any public roads connecting the surrounding villages of Broad Oak, Tyler Hill and Calcott, but would cover the private road of Mayton Lane and some other tracks owned by Mid Kent Water.

Mr Bishop said Broad Oak was the only site in Kent which matched the stringent geological criteria required to hold a reservoir.

"We are not aware of any other suitable sites in Kent which are not already inhabited," he said. "This is not in reality the reservoir of 1976. Many householders who think they will be affected, won't, in fact. Mid Kent Water owns all the affected properties.

"People keep talking about development in Ashford but we have development across Kent.

"This reservoir is just as important for customers in Canterbury. We have looked at 30 schemes but Broad Oak reservoir is the cheapest for the customers."