THE decommissioning of a historic Darwen reservoir has moved a step closer after environmental experts said a revamp would not significantly affect wildlife.

Jack’s Key Reservoir, which dates back to 1825, was drained in 1986 and the basin has become overgrown since its previous owners went into liquidation in 2005.

The Environment Agency wants to remove two dams and return the site, once a popular picnic area, to its pre-reservoir status.

A report to Blackburn with Darwen Council found that while some protected species – including bats, water voles and badgers – lived near the site, none would be harmed by the decommissioning.

The report said: “To prevent indirect impacts on any ecological receptors, it is recommended that construction mitigation measures should be implemented in accordance with best practice to prevent impacts from dust, noise, run-off or other potential pollutants.   “In conclusion...the proposed scheme at Jack’s Keys could be implemented without significant adverse ecological impacts and in accordance with relevant legislation and planning policy.”

In 2013, the Environment Agency unveiled plans to transform and partly refill the reservoir, turning it into a wetland habitat, and for Blackburn with Darwen Council to take ownership of the site once work was completed.

But those plans were scrapped last year and the new aim, subject to planning approval, is to remove the reservoir’s capacity to hold water.

As such, the 22 hectare site, currently classes as a ‘large raised reservoir’, would no longer constitute a reservoir under the Reservoirs Act 1975.

Instead, a new river channel will be made through the existing basin, into Jacks KeyClough, to connect with the River Darwen.

The report, by London-based environmental consultants CH2M Hill, added: “To facilitate the decommissioning of the reservoir, the Environment Agency is proposing o landscape the existing reservoir basin.

“A new river channel, wetland habitat and pond will also be created as part of the landscaping scheme.

“ Additional flood resilience works will also be carried out at Clough Street.”