Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will review the way in which the Environment Agency responds to water abstraction applications, with particular regard to businesses in East Anglia.

The Environment Agency has wide ranging duties covering matters it may take into account when it deals with water abstraction licence applications. When making decision on licence applications, the Environment Agency balances the needs of businesses, people and the environment.

The legal framework in which the Environment Agency is required to operate means that, where a licence application may affect protected species or habitats, or cause the environment to deteriorate as a result of unacceptable environmental damage, the balance must be weighted in favour of the environment. However, the Environment Agency works with applicants to secure access to water for them on reasonable terms whilst still protecting the environment.

Ultimately, applicants can appeal the Environment Agency’s licence application decisions, where applications are refused or licences have been granted subject to conditions. Appeals are normally decided by an Inspector appointed from the Planning Inspectorate.