Environment Agency Latest News

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

United Utilities Water Limited pleaded guilty to introducing 34,000 fish into Bessy Brook, near Bolton, without a permit, causing over 16,000 fish deaths. The company was fined £60,000 plus a £2,000 victim surcharge and £24,098.06 in costs at Manchester Crown Court. This marks the first sentencing of a water company under The Keeping and Introduction of Fish (England and River Esk Catchment Area) Regulations 2015.

Adam Pettitt Environmental Permit Application - Old Cholmeleians Sports Club

The Environment Agency has published a public notice regarding Mr. Adam Pettitt's environmental permit application (EPR/KP3521LV/A001) for Old Cholmeleians Sports Club at 28 Hendon Wood Lane, London NW7 4HR. The notice covers waste operations, installations, water discharge activities, and medium combustion plant. The public may submit comments on the application before the Agency decides whether to grant or refuse the permit.

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

The Environment Agency prosecuted Roy Brett and RJ Brett Contracts Ltd for operating a skip-hire business in Essex without an environmental permit between 2024 and 2026. The company stored excessive waste in an undersized yard, ignored repeated warnings over two years, and undercut competitors by evading permit fees. Both parties pleaded guilty to environmental law breaches.

Prysmian Cables Environmental Permit Application - EGL1 Onshore Cable Seaham

The Environment Agency has published a public consultation notice regarding an environmental permit application from Prysmian Cables and Systems Limited for the EGL1 Onshore Cable project located at Spectrum Business Park, Seaham, Durham. The application covers installations, waste operations, water discharge activities, and medium combustion plant. The agency is seeking public comments before deciding whether to grant or refuse the permit and what conditions to include.

Lancashire Company and Director Fined for Illegal Waste Exports

The Environment Agency prosecuted 3R Technology UK Ltd and Director Yulin Wang for illegally exporting contaminated plastic waste to Malaysia. The company was fined £80,000 with £45,000 costs and £2,000 victim surcharge; Wang received 120 hours unpaid community work plus £15,000 costs and £114 surcharge. They pleaded guilty to 16 charges involving waste shipments between April 2022 and February 2025.

Waste Criminals £67k Confiscation Orders

The Environment Agency secured approximately £67,000 in confiscation orders against the Canner family for operating an illegal waste site at Fen Lane, Long Bennington, Lincolnshire. Following Operation Lord, Judge Steven Coupland ordered Joshua Canner to pay £55,723.21, Paul Canner £8,294.11, and Judith Canner £3,120 at Nottingham Crown Court on 30 March 2026. The three had previously received custodial sentences in June 2024.

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

The Environment Agency issued permit variation EPR/VP3237WY/V005 for Byrn-y-Groes Poultry Unit under the Industrial Emissions Directive. The variation applies to operators Gwyneth Wigley and David Wigley at their installation in SY10 8NB.

East Midlands Waste Management Limited - Environmental Permit Application Consultation

The Environment Agency published a consultation notice for East Midlands Waste Management Limited's environmental permit application (EPR/CP3723LV/A001) for Saxon Pit Southern Buttress, Whittlesey. An amendment was issued on 31 March 2026 correcting the waste treatment description from "crushing and screening" to just "screening" as this was an error in the original application. The EA invites public comments on the permit application.

Environmental Permit Issued - Bailey Livestock, Fir Tree Farm

The Environment Agency issued an environmental permit to Bailey Livestock Limited for its Fir Tree Farm installation in Middlesborough, England. The permit was issued under the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and carries reference number EPR/KP3426SG/A001. The permit and decision documents are available for public reference.

Veolia ES Landfill partial surrender permit

The Environment Agency issued a partial surrender permit (EPR/EP3136GK/S012) for Veolia ES Landfill Limited's Rainham Landfill site under the Industrial Emissions Directive. This administrative action modifies the existing environmental permit by surrendering certain permit conditions. The notice applies to England only.