The Environment Agency Proposes Revocation of Licences

April 7, 2021

Last week the Environment Agency published a consultation on the revocation of eight abstraction licences throughout the UK. Driven by a new programme for sustainable abstraction, appropriate use of water resources and their conservation, the regulator set out the details of their proposal.

Our James Dodds made the following comment:


“The ability of the Environment Agency to revoke unused licences has been on the cards for some time. Over the last two years they have been writing to licensees who have not used or underused their abstraction, asking whether the licences are needed or whether they would like to voluntarily revoke them. While it is unnecessary and possibly costly to keep a licence that isn’t required, and it locks away a resource that could be used in better ways, it is also common in some industries that licences are used periodically and need to be retained.


The use of statutory powers to revoke licences is an important trend that all licence holders should be aware of. The phrase ‘use it or lose it’ is more important than ever.”


Envireau Water are one of the leading independent abstraction licensing specialists in the UK, with an enviable track record in solving abstraction licensing issues. If you have any questions or are approached regarding licence revocation contact us at info@envireauwater.co.uk or call on 01332 871 882.

Share

By Rachael Plant May 28, 2025
We officially unveiled our newest office location in April last year! Known as a hub of Hydrogeology, our Shrewsbury office sits in the heart of the town and is a testament to our growth and a strategic move to better serve our clients in the West Midlands and Wales. We're excited to introduce you to our skilled experts! Tamsin Morey: Having joined in 2003, Principal Water Resources Specialist Tamsin has over 20 years consulting experience, with her role focusing primarily on water resource management and high level regulator negotiation. Tamsin manages projects primarily within the agricultural and food & drink industries, with expertise ranging from catchment-scale water resource assessments to the delivery of detailed site-specific solutions to solve specific client issues.
By Rachael Plant May 21, 2025
Welcome to our Melbourne office in Derbyshire! Connecting you to both Derby and Leicester, this charming market town is surrounded by beautiful countryside and a multitude of boutique shops and delicious bakeries! We're excited to introduce you to our talented professionals! Lauren Moore: A Chartered Manager (Fellow) with an MSc in Management and Leadership, Lauren joined Envireau Water in 2018 and now leads business operations across the company’s four offices, playing a central role in shaping and delivering the company's strategic direction. Lauren’s expertise spans project and change management, business innovation, digital transformation and marketing, with a strong focus on improving operational efficiency and supporting sustainable growth.
By Rachael Plant May 20, 2025
As much as we all love the sunshine and have been embracing the recent warmer weather spell across the UK, the prolonged dry conditions are now raising concerns that England may be at risk of a potential drought this summer. Following an exceptionally sunny and dry April, which experienced just over 56% of usual rainfall, the start of May was also the warmest on record, surpassing the previous high set in 1990. With water resources already strained, it is more important than ever that proactive measures are promptly adopted to mitigate this risk, promote water conservation and avoid the potential for future restrictions. We asked Principal Water Resources Specialist, Tamsin Morey , for her thoughts on the matter... Tamsin, what dangers are we already seeing in the UK?
Show More
By Rachael Plant May 28, 2025
We officially unveiled our newest office location in April last year! Known as a hub of Hydrogeology, our Shrewsbury office sits in the heart of the town and is a testament to our growth and a strategic move to better serve our clients in the West Midlands and Wales. We're excited to introduce you to our skilled experts! Tamsin Morey: Having joined in 2003, Principal Water Resources Specialist Tamsin has over 20 years consulting experience, with her role focusing primarily on water resource management and high level regulator negotiation. Tamsin manages projects primarily within the agricultural and food & drink industries, with expertise ranging from catchment-scale water resource assessments to the delivery of detailed site-specific solutions to solve specific client issues.
By Rachael Plant May 21, 2025
Welcome to our Melbourne office in Derbyshire! Connecting you to both Derby and Leicester, this charming market town is surrounded by beautiful countryside and a multitude of boutique shops and delicious bakeries! We're excited to introduce you to our talented professionals! Lauren Moore: A Chartered Manager (Fellow) with an MSc in Management and Leadership, Lauren joined Envireau Water in 2018 and now leads business operations across the company’s four offices, playing a central role in shaping and delivering the company's strategic direction. Lauren’s expertise spans project and change management, business innovation, digital transformation and marketing, with a strong focus on improving operational efficiency and supporting sustainable growth.
By Rachael Plant May 20, 2025
As much as we all love the sunshine and have been embracing the recent warmer weather spell across the UK, the prolonged dry conditions are now raising concerns that England may be at risk of a potential drought this summer. Following an exceptionally sunny and dry April, which experienced just over 56% of usual rainfall, the start of May was also the warmest on record, surpassing the previous high set in 1990. With water resources already strained, it is more important than ever that proactive measures are promptly adopted to mitigate this risk, promote water conservation and avoid the potential for future restrictions. We asked Principal Water Resources Specialist, Tamsin Morey , for her thoughts on the matter... Tamsin, what dangers are we already seeing in the UK?
By Rachael Plant May 15, 2025
Nestled in North Yorkshire, our Aske Office is just outside the lively market town of Richmond. Just a short stroll away, the charmingly converted stables at Aske Estate provide stunning, scenic views, perfect for a lovely lunch time stroll! Keep reading to discover more about our expert team! Phil Ham: Managing Director Phil joined Envireau Water 'officially' in 2010. A Principal Hydrogeologist with over 20 years professional experience working with natural water systems, Phil specialises in water supply development and hydrogeological impact assessments, overseeing projects primarily within the food and drink and industrial sectors. Phil is also a qualified expert witness, having completed the highly acclaimed Cardiff University Law School/Bond Solon expert witness training course.
Show More