PLANNING applications have been submitted by United Utilities for a major new water scheme to supply homes and businesses in the west of Cumbria.

The £300 million scheme would see the construction of around 100 kilometres of pipeline, plus associated infrastructure including new water treatment works, service reservoirs and a pumping station, to bring water from Thirlmere reservoir to supply homes and businesses.

The scheme is designed to ease pressure on environmentally sensitive local water sources in west Cumbria, and provide a secure, long-term supply for the area.

It will create up to 400 jobs over the four years of construction, subject to planning approval.

Approximately 150,000 people in communities such as Whitehaven, Egremont, Ravenglass, Workington, Maryport, Silloth, Cockermouth and Wigton would receive their water via the new pipeline.

United Utilities has been consulting with local communities on options for west Cumbria's water supply and the route of the new pipeline since 2014. The planning application will now be considered by Copeland Borough Council (planning ref: 4/16/2108/0F1), Allerdale Borough Council (planning ref: 2/2016/0045) and the Lake District National Park Authority (planning ref: 7/2016/2027). Copies of the application can be viewed at each council's head office.

John Hilton, United Utilities' project director for the pipeline scheme, said: "West Cumbria currently relies on water sources on its doorstep, including Ennerdale Water - a natural lake of significant environmental importance.

"The new scheme is designed to ease the pressure on these sensitive local water sources and provide a more secure supply for homes and businesses for the decades to come.

"These applications are the culmination of several years of detailed planning and consultation. We've worked closely with local communities, businesses and stakeholders to develop a scheme which delivers major long-term benefits for west Cumbria, while minimising inconvenience and safeguarding the environment during construction."

If the planning applications are approved, work on the new pipeline would begin in March 2017, with the project in service by March 2022.

Fast facts: - The pipeline which brings water from Thirlmere (known as the 'raw water' aqueduct) loosely follows the A591 from Thirlmere, before skirting Keswick, passing east of Bassenthwaite Lake and turning west towards the site of the proposed new water treatment works near Bridekirk adjacent to Hags Wood.

- As well as the pipeline from Thirlmere, the project also requires the construction of a new water treatment works near Bridekirk, two new service reservoirs and a pumping station, with additional pipelines running to Quarry Hill, Summergrove, Kelton Fell and Stainburn. Some sections of existing pipeline will also be refurbished to make them suitable for use in the new network.

- Most of the pipeline's route passes through agricultural land, in order to minimise inconvenience for road users.

- A number of potential pipeline routes were investigated - with the final decision made following consultation with local residents and stakeholders.

- Ennerdale Water - currently the main source of drinking water for the area - is a naturally occurring lake. The River Ehen, a SSSI site and Special Area of Conservation, flows out of Ennerdale Water. Ultimately, water must cease to be abstracted from Ennerdale Water entirely.