Mineral extraction at Straitgate Farm is permitted to a level down to a guesstimate of the maximum water table – the MWWT.
It is no surprise to see that the latest version of this model is already out of date. It doesn't reflect the maximum groundwater levels recorded – as detailed in Table A.1 of Aggregate Industries’ Proof of Evidence to the Public Inquiry.
The Planning Inspectors said in their report that "the MWWT grid would be updated as necessary to reflect any higher groundwater readings."
Indeed, Condition 28 of the permission says:
Prior to the commencement of any soil stripping on any phase of the development, a review of the Maximum Winter Water Table (MWWT) grid (being the hydrogeologically modelled surface of the maximum winter water table based on the highest recorded winter groundwater levels) shall be submitted to the Mineral Planning Authority for its approval in writing.
Have groundwater levels at Straitgate Farm exceeded the MWWT this month, given that England has had its wettest March since 1981?
Nobody knows.
Groundwater levels across the site are currently not being monitored – and haven't been for over a year.
