Regulators have said they do not want to see a formal application to create the new Fens Reservoir submitted later than March 2027.
The proposed reservoir is planned for completion by 2036, if it gets permission to go ahead.
The scheme has been designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). This means a final decision on whether it can go ahead will be made by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
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