Environment Agency Latest News

Four Prison Sentences for Illegal Waste Dumping in London

A gang of four has been sentenced at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for conspiracy to illegally dump controlled waste across six sites in London. Patrick Doherty received 28 months imprisonment and Martin Ward received 18 months. Michael Ward and Simon O'Donnell each received 14 months suspended for 2 years. The group unlawfully occupied vacant sites and operated an organised dumping operation using tipper trucks, leaving landowners with combined clean-up costs in the hundreds of thousands of pounds. The Environment Agency investigated the offences, which spanned approximately one year, and gathered evidence including CCTV footage showing the men interfering with cameras and concealing their identities.

MCERTS: Performance Standard for Rapid Measurement Techniques for the Chemical Testing of Soil

The Environment Agency published MCERTS performance standard for rapid measurement techniques (RMTs) used in the chemical testing of soil, effective 27 April 2026. The standard applies to manufacturers of RMTs for chemical soil testing and test laboratories conducting equipment testing on behalf of manufacturers to verify compliance with the required standard. This document establishes new performance criteria for rapid measurement techniques in soil analysis under the MCERTS certification framework.

Axion Recycling Ltd, Salford: Environmental Permit Issued under Industrial Emissions Directive

The Environment Agency has issued environmental permit EPR/JP3994CL/V005 to Axion Recycling Ltd for the Axion Polymers installation in Salford, M6 6RX. The permit was issued under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and is applicable to England only. The decision documentation, including the full permit and decision document, was published on 24 April 2026 as a 47-page permit PDF and a 16-page decision document. This permit issuance represents routine administrative action by the regulator confirming the operator's authorisation to operate under IED requirements.

Wayne Capstick Environmental Permit Application EPR/DP3220MS/A001

The Environment Agency has published a public notice advertising an environmental permit application submitted by Wayne Capstick for premises at Nappa Manor Barn, Skipton, BD23 4LT, under reference EPR/DP3220MS/A001. The application is open for public consultation as required under the Environmental Permitting Regulations. Interested parties may submit comments on the application, and the Agency will subsequently decide whether to grant or refuse the permit and what conditions to impose if granted.

David Gorton Fined £17,527 for Illegal Waste Deposition at Devon Site

Devon waste carrier David Gorton was ordered by Newton Abbot Magistrates' Court to pay £17,527 (comprising a £1,466 fine, £12,300 in criminal benefit recovery, and £3,614 in Environment Agency costs) after pleading guilty to illegally depositing 1,368 tonnes of soil and stone at an unlicensed site near Kingsteignton between 19 July 2018 and 16 May 2019. Gorton, operating as a registered waste carrier, failed to verify the landowner had a valid environmental permit despite being told by an Environment Agency officer in 2019 to stop depositing waste at the site. The site remediation is estimated to cost at least £2.5M.

Andrew Leadbeater Ordered to Clear West Yorkshire Waste Site After Guilty Plea

Andrew Leadbeater, 57, pleaded guilty at West Yorkshire Magistrates' Court on 17 April 2026 to two waste offences relating to an illegal waste site at 533 Wyke Lane, Wyke, Bradford. He was ordered by 17 June 2026 to clear all waste from the land, sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge, and ordered to pay £6,067.50 in costs plus a £26 victim surcharge. The Environment Agency had previously issued a notice requiring clearance by 22 September 2025, which was not complied with, and a required interview in October 2025 was not attended. The case highlights enforcement action against waste crime in Yorkshire.

Scott Beverley Environmental Permit Application Consultation CO16 9QG

The Environment Agency has published a public notice regarding an environmental permit application (EPR/KP3925MT/A001) submitted by Scott Beverley for Avon Cottage, Holland Road, Little Clacton, Clacton-on-Sea CO16 9QG. The notice invites public comments on applications for waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators. The Environment Agency will decide whether to grant or refuse the application and what conditions to include if granted.

CELLSAFEUK Ltd Environmental Permit Application Public Consultation EPR/PP3623MM/A001

The Environment Agency has published a public consultation notice regarding an environmental permit application (EPR/PP3623MM/A001) submitted by CELLSAFEUK Ltd for Cellsafe Limited in Willenhall. The application covers waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators. The public may submit comments on the application, and the Environment Agency will subsequently decide whether to grant or refuse the permit and what conditions to include.

Small-Scale Groundwater Abstraction for Construction Dewatering: RPS 368

The Environment Agency has published Regulatory Position Statement 368 (RPS 368), providing its regulatory approach to small-scale groundwater abstraction for construction dewatering lasting under 270 days. The RPS does not create new legal obligations but clarifies that the Agency will not normally take enforcement action against abstraction activities that meet its specified requirements, even where a full abstraction licence would ordinarily be required. Construction firms undertaking dewatering activities in England should review the RPS requirements to determine whether their operations qualify for this regulatory position.

Veolia ES Consults on Bristol Waste Permit Application

The Environment Agency is consulting the public on Veolia ES (UK) Limited's application for an environmental permit to operate Avonmouth Dockside Wood Transfer Station in Bristol under permit reference EPR/RP3220MV/A001. The consultation covers waste operations, installations, water discharge activities, and medium combustion plant. The public may submit comments on the application, and the EA will subsequently decide whether to grant or refuse the permit and what conditions to include if granted.

Radioactive Substances Activity Permit for NORM Waste Decommissioning, Consultation Open

The Environment Agency has opened a public consultation on an environmental permit application from Petrofac Facilities Management Limited for managing Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) wastes arising from the offshore Hewett 48/29A-P and FTP topside and jacket decommissioning campaign. The application, reference EPR/WB3053TU/A001, covers the Central Complex in the Southern North Sea. Members of the public may submit comments on the application, and the Environment Agency will determine whether to grant or refuse the permit and what conditions to include.

Shotley Holdings Limited Environmental Permit Variation EPR/SP3239BB/V012 for Folly Farm Waste Management Facility, Ipswich

The Environment Agency has issued a permit variation (EPR/SP3239BB/V012) to Shotley Holdings Limited for the Folly Farm Waste Management Facility in Ipswich. The variation incorporates requirements under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) into the facility's environmental permit. The variation notice and decision document have been published on GOV.UK and apply to England only.

Enforcement Undertakings Net £2.1m for River Trent Catchment Restoration

Severn Trent Water Limited has contributed £2.1 million to Trent Rivers Trust following three Environment Agency enforcement undertakings for water pollution incidents in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. The largest contribution of £1 million addresses a December 2020 discharge of poor-quality effluent from Sutton-in-Ashfield sewage treatment works into the River Maun. A further £600,000 covers an unauthorised sewage discharge into Oakerthorpe Brook in July 2021 that caused ecological damage over at least 2.5 kilometres, and £500,000 relates to three bio-oxygen demand exceedances at Marehay Wastewater Treatment Works between October 2021 and May 2022. The charity will use the funds to restore river habitat, improve water quality, and remove barriers in affected catchments.

Bill Davies Environmental Permit Application EPR/LP3628MH/A001

The Environment Agency has published a public consultation notice for an environmental permit application (EPR/LP3628MH/A001) submitted by Bill Davies for Pennys Mill, Horn Street, Frome, Somerset, BA11 4NP. The consultation covers waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant. The EA will determine whether to grant or refuse the permit and what conditions to include if granted. Comments are invited from the public.

United Utilities Fined £60k for Releasing 34,000 Fish Without Permit

United Utilities Water Limited pleaded guilty to introducing over 30,000 fish into Bessy Brook near Bolton during a scour valve test at High Rid Reservoir, without obtaining the required permit. The incident caused the deaths of over 16,000 fish, with bodies found embedded in bridge walls and others showing injuries from the high-speed discharge. The company was fined £60,000 plus a £2,000 victim surcharge and £24,098.06 in costs at Manchester Crown Court on 10 April 2026. This sentencing marks the first prosecution of a water company under The Keeping and Introduction of Fish (England and River Esk Catchment Area) Regulations 2015, with the introduction of 34,000 fish classified as 'Category 2' harm indicating significant adverse impact on animal health. Water companies and operators of reservoirs or water infrastructure with scour valve systems should audit their permit requirements before conducting any operations that could introduce fish into downstream watercourses.

Essex Skip-Hire Boss and Firm Plead Guilty to Waste Crime Charges

Roy Brett, owner of RJ Brett Contracts Ltd, and the company have pleaded guilty to environmental waste crimes at Colchester Magistrates' Court, with sentencing scheduled for 15 May 2026. The company operated a waste facility at Lanham Green Road in Cressing, Essex without an environmental permit between July 2024 and January 2026, contrary to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. The Environment Agency cancelled the company's low-risk waste exemptions as the scale of offending became apparent, and officers found nearly 50 skips overflowing with waste by January 2025. The implications extend to other skip-hire and waste facility operators, who must ensure they hold valid environmental permits—consumers hiring skips are also urged to verify permits via the Environment Agency public register before engaging services.

Adam Pettitt Environmental Permit Application - Old Cholmeleians Sports Club

The Environment Agency has published a public consultation notice for environmental permit application EPR/KP3521LV/A001 submitted by Mr Adam Pettitt for Old Cholmeleians Sports Club, Pavilion, 28 Hendon Wood Lane, London, NW7 4HR. The notice invites public comment on applications covering waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant. The Environment Agency will decide whether to grant or refuse the permit and what conditions to include if granted. This notice applies to England only.

Prysmian Cables Environmental Permit Application - EGL1 Onshore Cable Seaham

The Environment Agency is consulting the public on an environmental permit application submitted by Prysmian Cables and Systems Limited for EGL1 Onshore Cable operations at Spectrum Business Park, Building 2, Seaham, Durham, SR7 7PR. The application falls under waste operations, installations, water discharge activities, and medium combustion plant categories. The EA will decide whether to grant or refuse the permit and what conditions to include if granted.

3R Technology UK Ltd and Director Yulin Wang Fined £142,000 for Illegal Waste Exports to Malaysia

3R Technology UK Ltd of Preston and its director Yulin Wang, 56, were ordered to pay more than £142,000 at Preston Magistrates' Court on 24 March 2026 after pleading guilty to 16 charges. The company exported 14 containers of waste between April 2022 and February 2025 falsely described as clean plastic but actually contaminated with electrical waste, wiring, circuit boards, and mixed waste. Two further charges relate to breaching prohibition notices issued in August 2024. The company was fined £80,000 plus £45,000 costs and £2,000 victim surcharge; Wang received 120 hours of unpaid community work plus £15,000 costs and £114 surcharge. A 2022 spot check at Felixstowe triggered the investigation, with a 2024 interception at Liverpool finding concealed electrical waste.

Waste Criminals £67k Confiscation Orders

Judge Steven Coupland at Nottingham Crown Court ordered Joshua Canner, 30, to pay £55,723.21, while his parents Paul Canner, 55, and Judith Canner, 56, must pay £8,294.11 and £3,120 respectively, in Proceeds of Crime confiscation orders totalling nearly £67,000. The three had previously received custodial sentences in June 2024 for their roles in operating an illegal waste site at Fen Lane, Long Bennington near Grantham as part of Operation Lord, which led to 12 convictions. The Environment Agency stated it will pursue recovery of both illegal profits and taxpayer money spent on pursuing the criminals.

Byrn-y-Groes Poultry Unit Permit Variation EPR/VP3237WY/V005

The Environment Agency has published a permit variation (EPR/VP3237WY/V005) for the Byrn-y-Groes Poultry Unit, operated by Gwyneth Wigley and David Wigley, under the Industrial Emissions Directive. The variation, issued on 31 March 2026, is published in England. Documents available include the Decision Document (250 KB, 22 pages) and the Variation Notice (386 KB, 26 pages). This is a routine administrative permit modification for the named installation; affected operators should maintain records of the updated permit conditions.

Veolia ES Landfill Limited Partial Surrender Permit EPR/EP3136GK/S012

The Environment Agency has published a partial surrender notice for Rainham Landfill (EPR/EP3136GK/S012), operated by Veolia ES Landfill Limited. The surrender was issued under the Industrial Emissions Directive and applies to England. The 86-page surrender notice is available as a PDF from the UK Government publications service. This is an administrative permit action that reduces the scope of the installation's environmental permit.

East Midlands Waste Management Limited Environmental Permit Application Consultation

The Environment Agency is consulting the public on a permit application from East Midlands Waste Management Limited for Saxon Pit Southern Buttress, Whittlesey. The application covers waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge activities, and medium combustion plant. Comments are invited on whether to grant or refuse the permit and what conditions to impose. An update on 31 March 2026 corrected the treatment description from "crushing and screening" to "screening" only, noting this was an error in the original information.

Environmental Permit Issued - Bailey Livestock, Fir Tree Farm

The Environment Agency has issued Environmental Permit EPR/KP3426SG/A001 to Bailey Livestock Limited for operations at Fir Tree Farm, Middlesborough. The permit was issued under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and applies to England. Both the permit document and decision document are available for download from the UK Government website. This represents a routine administrative action establishing the regulatory framework for the operator's industrial emissions activities.

Farmer Sentenced for Illegal Waste Dumping at Beauty Spot

Hayden Fortune, 50, of Pyethornes Farm, Wigglesworth, Skipton, was sentenced at York Magistrates' Court on 26 March 2026 for operating an illegal waste site. The court heard that between 14 May 2024 and 3 October 2025, thousands of tonnes of shredded plastic, metals, electrical items and aerosols were dumped and buried on his land at a Yorkshire beauty spot, despite formal warnings and a statutory notice. Fortune received 12 months in prison suspended for two years, a £2,500 fine, £10,000 costs, £187 victim surcharge, 20 days rehabilitation activity, and was ordered to clear all waste within two years. He was also banned for life from keeping animals due to a prior Trading Standards prosecution.

Windmill Services Ltd Permit Revoked, Two Waste Sites Shut Down in Multi-Agency Crackdown

The Environment Agency served a Revocation Notice on Windmill Services Ltd revoking its environmental permit after a multi-agency day of action on 23 March 2026 targeting waste crime at Simonswood and Williams Brothers Industrial Estates in West Lancashire. Two illegal waste sites were shut down, with one accepting household skip waste and another taking inert material without permits. Windmill Services Ltd must cease all permitted activities within the statutory period or face prosecution, and the company is under investigation for permit breaches.

Arrest Made in £2M Waste Packaging Fraud Case

A 49-year-old man was arrested in Birmingham by officers from the Environment Agency and West Midlands Police on 25 March 2026 for conspiracy to defraud and money laundering offences linked to the Packaging Producer Responsibility (PPR) regime. The investigation centres on the alleged unlawful sale of more than £2 million in recycling credits for exports suspected of never having taken place, with additional arrests expected as enquiries continue. The Environment Agency has stated this arrest forms part of its new 10 Point Plan to tackle waste crime, which includes creating a new Operational Waste Intelligence and Analysis Unit and naming illegal waste operators.

Tees Valley Net Zero Environmental Permit Issued

The Environment Agency has issued environmental permit EPR/WP3229ME/A001 to Tees Valley Net Zero Limited for the Haverton Hill Hydrogen Production Facility in Billingham under the Industrial Emissions Directive. The permit was published on 26 March 2026 and applies to England. This is a routine permit issuance for a hydrogen production facility and creates binding obligations for the operator including emission limits and monitoring requirements.

Storm Overflow Spill Data Shows 35% Reduction in 2025 Events

The Environment Agency published 2025 storm overflow monitoring data showing a 35% reduction in total spill events (291,492 events) and a 48% reduction in total monitored spill duration compared to 2024. Average spills per overflow fell from 31.8 to 20.5. The EDM analysis has supported £10.2 billion of investment in storm overflow upgrades as part of the wider £104 billion water infrastructure programme. Publishing EDM data annually is a statutory requirement under the Environment Act 2021.

Czero Developments Environmental Permit Application Public Consultation

The Environment Agency is consulting the public on an environmental permit application (EPR/PP3820MS/A001) submitted by Czero Developments Limited for a facility at St James Church, The Village, Castle Eden, County Durham, TS27 4SL. The consultation covers waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators. The EA will decide whether to grant or refuse the permit, and what conditions to include if granted.

South Coast Waste Holdings Limited Environmental Permit Application Advertisement EPR/KP3720MR/A002

The Environment Agency has published a public notice advertising an environmental permit application submitted by South Coast Waste Holdings Limited for its Portsmouth facility. The application covers waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators. The public may submit comments on the application, and the Environment Agency will subsequently decide whether to grant or refuse the permit, including any conditions to be included if granted.

JFSW One Limited Environmental Permit Application Consultation EPR/QP3123MR/A001

The Environment Agency is consulting the public on an environmental permit application (EPR/QP3123MR/A001) submitted by JFSW One Limited for Plot 4 Risingfields Farm, Lighthorne Road, Warwick, CV35 0JL. The application covers waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators. Stakeholders may review and submit comments on the application before the Agency decides whether to grant or refuse the permit.

Greater Manchester Agencies Unite Against Waste Crime with £45m Funding

The Environment Agency and Greater Manchester agencies held the region's first waste crime summit on 20 March 2026, bringing together law enforcement, fire services, and all 10 local authorities. The government announced £45m in funding over three years to support the new Waste Crime Action Plan, which includes expanded enforcement powers and direct cleanup of illegal waste sites including at Bolton House Road in Bickershaw, Wigan. Last year the Environment Agency stopped 743 illegal waste sites, including 45 in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.

CV35 0JL, JFSW One Limited Environmental Permit Application Advertisement

The Environment Agency has published a public consultation notice for an environmental permit application submitted by JFSW One Limited for Plot 3 Risingfields Farm, Lighthorne Road, Warwick, CV35 0JL. The permit reference is EPR/QP3623MU/A001. The notice advises the public on how to submit comments and states the Agency will decide whether to grant or refuse the application, and what conditions to include if granted. The consultation covers waste operations, installations, water discharge activities, groundwater activities, medium combustion plant and specified generators.

Plymouth City Council Environmental Permit Issued

The Environment Agency issued environmental permit EPR/CP3731LZ/V005 to Plymouth City Council for the Chelson Meadow Leachate Treatment Plant in Plymouth on 23 March 2026. This variation notice (V005) covers the permit, decision document, and site condition report evaluation template. The permit was issued under the Industrial Emissions Directive and applies to England.

4RECYCLING LIMITED Environmental Permit Application Consultation EPR/XP3422LU/A001

The Environment Agency is consulting the public on an environmental permit application submitted by 4RECYCLING LIMITED for operations at Batrudding, York, bearing reference EPR/XP3422LU/A001. The consultation covers applications for waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant and specified generators. The EA will decide whether to grant or refuse the application and what conditions to include if granted.

Huntsman Polyurethanes Environmental Permit Variation Draft Decision

The Environment Agency has published a draft decision notice for Huntsman Polyurethanes (UK) Limited regarding a proposed variation to the environmental permit for the installation at Wilton Redcar. The draft decision involves a derogation under Article 15(4) of the Industrial Emissions Directive. The notice explains the proposed decision, the reasons and considerations on which it is based, any additional relevant information, and guidance provided by the Secretary of State. This is a public consultation document, not a final determination.

Environment Agency Seizes Vehicles at Worcestershire Waste Site

The Environment Agency led a joint operation at Throckmorton Industrial Park, Worcestershire on 19 March 2026, seizing a large construction vehicle and an HGV lorry as part of an ongoing initiative to tackle waste crime. Officers from West Mercia Police's Evesham Rural Safer Neighbourhood team and the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency supported the operation. The EA states that in 2024/25 it successfully stopped activity at 743 illegal waste sites, of which 84 were in the West Midlands Area. The public is encouraged to report suspected illegal waste activity via the EA's 24-hour hotline or anonymously via Crimestoppers.

Environment Agency Obtains Restriction Order Shutting Illegal Waste Site in Ramsgate

The Environment Agency has obtained a restriction order from the court to shut down an illegal waste site at Units 26 and 27, Leigh Road, Haine Industrial Estate, Newington, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 5EU. The agency locked the site gate, placed concrete blocks to prevent access, and posted a warning notice after responding to public reports of baled waste and conducting a site visit on 4th March. Entering the land without written permission from the Environment Agency is now a criminal offence, as is tampering with the lock or notice. The order is granted under the Environment Act 1995 and follows previous restriction orders secured at Eastchurch, Minister on the Isle of Sheppey, and Hoads Wood near Ashford.

Waste Crime Action Plan: £45M Boost, New Police-Style Powers and Clean-Up Squads for England

The UK government and Environment Agency have launched a Waste Crime Action Plan with £45 million in additional funding over three years, backed by a significant uplift from the previous £10 million annual enforcement budget. The plan introduces new police-style powers for Environment Agency officers, 'clean-up squads' of offenders completing up to 20 hours unpaid work, naming and shaming of illegal operators, and courts given power to award penalty points on driving licences for fly-tipping offences. Specific sites in Wigan (18,000 tonnes), Hyndburn (10,000 tonnes), and Sheffield (20,000 tonnes) will be cleared as part of the commitment.

GEO2 Remediation Limited Environmental Permit Application - SY13 4QJ

The Environment Agency published a public consultation notice on 19 March 2026 advertising an environmental permit application submitted by GEO2 Remediation Limited for Grindley Brook Petrol Filling Station, A41, Whitchurch, SY13 4QJ (reference EPR/RP3520MJ/A001). The application concerns waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, or medium combustion plant and specified generators subject to public participation requirements. The public may submit comments on the application, and the Environment Agency will subsequently decide whether to grant or refuse the permit and what conditions to include if granted.

Cleansing Service Group Limited Environmental Permit Issued Under Industrial Emissions Directive

The Environment Agency has issued Environmental Permit EPR/FP3823PB/A001 to Cleansing Service Group Limited for the CSG Avonmouth installation at Severn Road. The permit, issued under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), authorises industrial emissions activities at the facility. Both the permit and accompanying decision document are published and available in accessible formats. The permit applies to England only.

South West Water Limited Environmental Permit Application Advertisement – TR8 5DD, Holywell, Cornwall

The Environment Agency has published notice of an environmental permit application submitted by South West Water Limited for a Public Sewage Effluent Overflow (PSEO) site at Holywell Road, Holywell, Cornwall, TR8 5DD. The notice explains that the EA consults the public on certain applications including waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant. The public may submit comments on the application, and the Environment Agency will subsequently decide whether to grant or refuse the permit and what conditions to include if granted.

Knights Brown Construction Ltd Environmental Permit Application Weymouth

The Environment Agency has published a public notice advertising an environmental permit application submitted by Knights Brown Construction Ltd (reference EPR/YP3026LX/A001) for activities at Weymouth Harbour Walls F and G, Weymouth Pavilion Car Park, Dorset, DT4 8ED. The notice invites public comment on the application, which falls within the categories of waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, or medium combustion plant and specified generators. The Environment Agency will subsequently decide whether to grant or refuse the permit and what conditions to include if granted.

Acorn Norfolk Limited Environmental Permit Application Consultation

The Environment Agency has opened a public consultation on an environmental permit application (EPR/TP3826LW/A001) submitted by Acorn Norfolk Limited for a facility at Overton School, Hereford Road, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 4AD. The consultation covers applications for waste and mining waste operations, installations, water discharge and groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant. The public may submit comments on what the application is about and what conditions should apply if the permit is granted.

National Groundwater Nitrogen Inventory and Heat Maps for England

The Environment Agency published its National Groundwater Nitrogen Inventory and Heat Maps for England on 17 March 2026, developing a methodology to quantify the annual amount of nitrogen at risk of leaching to groundwater from multiple regulated sectors. The research, comprising a summary document, full report, and inventory spreadsheet, will support fair and evidence-led regulation across sectors the agency oversees. This baseline data collection does not itself impose compliance obligations but establishes the analytical framework the Environment Agency will use to guide future regulatory approaches to groundwater nitrogen management.

YO32 9SU, Redrow Homes Limited: Environmental Permit Application Advertisement - EPR/BP3725MD/A001

The Environment Agency has published a public consultation notice regarding Redrow Homes Limited's environmental permit application (EPR/BP3725MD/A001) for a development at Monks Cross, Land off North Lane, Huntington, York, YO32 9SU. The notice invites public comment on the application, which covers waste operations, installations, water discharge activities, groundwater activities, and medium combustion plant. The Environment Agency will ultimately decide whether to grant or refuse the permit, and if granted, what conditions to include.

Liverpool Waste Investigation: Second Arrest, HGV and Excavator Seized

A second arrest has been made in the Liverpool illegal waste dumping investigation. A 45-year-old man was arrested on 11 March 2026 on suspicion of operating an illegal waste site in south Liverpool, following a joint operation on 2 February where another 45-year-old man was arrested and an HGV seized. An excavator has also been seized as part of the investigation. The Environment Agency and Joint Unit for Waste Crime (JUWC), working with Merseyside Police, continue to investigate. The JUWC was formed in 2020 and now includes 12 partner agencies including Natural Resources Wales, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, HMRC, National Crime Agency, and others.

Environment Agency Removes Over 100 Abandoned Boats from Thames in Decade's Biggest Cleanup

The Environment Agency has launched its biggest boat cleanup operation in a decade, targeting over 100 sunk and abandoned vessels from the non-tidal Thames. The task force, established in July 2025, has already removed 53 boats from the lower Thames, with a further 35 removed in September 2025 and 18 in January 2026. The agency plans to remove 70 more in March 2026. Boat owners are responsible for removing their sunken wrecks, and the Environment Agency will seek to recover costs from identified owners. The agency has also shifted its approach to non-registration offences, now removing boats where owners have been prosecuted but continue to non-comply.

£430k Secured for River Trust After Clay Pollution Incidents

Imerys Minerals Limited has paid £430,000 to the West Country Rivers Trust following an Environment Agency investigation into six clay pollution incidents across a two-year period. The company will also cover £22,600 in Environment Agency investigation and enforcement costs. The money will be used to restore water quality and improve fish migration in the River Fal catchment in Cornwall.