The Environment Agency says half of England is now in drought following record low rainfall and exceptionally high temperatures, with seven areas officially designated as drought zones. The response includes enhanced monitoring, tighter controls on water abstraction, and pressure on water companies to prioritise leak repairs and follow drought plans.
The Environment Agency has issued guidance on identifying, classifying and managing waste upholstered domestic seating that may contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs). It sets out handling, segregation, transfer note and transport requirements, including special precautions for mixed waste, roadside collection vehicles and cleaning methods.
The Environment Agency has suspended the environmental permit for a waste recycling site in Portsmouth after inspectors identified inadequate dust controls and other breaches linked to waste crushing and screening operations. The site must stop physical treatment of waste until the pollution risk is removed, with corrective actions required and a right of appeal through the Planning Inspectorate.
The Environment Agency has published updated templates and supplementary guidance for sampling and inspection plans required under extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging. Reprocessors and exporters of packaging waste in the UK must use these templates when applying for registration or optional accreditation, and exporters must also complete the overseas reprocessing and interim sites log (OSR) form.
West Lancashire Council has confirmed that an environmental impact assessment will be required for Northern Trust’s proposed outline residential scheme for 360 homes in Aughton. The site lies within the Green Belt on land described as a mix of grade one agricultural land and urban classification, and the proposal is at screening stage with no detailed plans yet submitted.
The Planning Inspectorate has published non-statutory advice on pre-application Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). It explains how the EIA process under the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 and the Planning Act 2008 should be handled before a Development Consent Order application is submitted, including screening, scoping and the use of the Rochdale Envelope.
The Environment Agency has launched Operation Unite, an 18-week enforcement campaign targeting permitted waste sites suspected of criminal activity. Across 42 inspections in England, the operation led to 17 permit suspensions or revocations underway and more than 30 criminal investigations, with actions taken at sites including Lancashire, Chichester and Hull.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on the general binding rules for small sewage discharges to ground from septic tanks and small sewage treatment plants in England. The rules explain when a permit is not needed, when a permit or connection to the public foul sewer is required, and which system types and discharge arrangements are acceptable.
X-Press Legal Services has added the newly launched GeoCerta environmental search platform to its product portfolio. The service is positioned as a faster, clearer way for conveyancers to assess environmental and climate-related risks, with reporting aligned to CIE Standards and backed by professional indemnity insurance.
The Environment Agency has revoked the environmental permit of a Kent waste operator after repeated failures to manage waste storage, fire risk and pollution controls at a site in Stockbury near Sittingbourne. The case involved hazardous items such as old fridges and TVs, inadequate drainage, and concerns raised by Kent Fire and Rescue Service about firefighting access and water supply.
The Environment Agency has moved Sussex into prolonged dry weather, alongside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, following continued hot temperatures, low rainfall and rising water demand. South East Water has also introduced temporary use bans in several areas, and the National Drought Group is monitoring the wider situation across England.
The Environment Agency says parts of southern, central and eastern England are moving closer to drought status after a third heatwave, with very low July rainfall, rising water demand and growing pressure on supplies. The National Drought Group has stepped up monitoring, incident response and public communication, while water companies have introduced or announced temporary use bans affecting millions of customers.
