The Environment Agency has published a 2025 update to its storm overflow assessment framework for water companies in England. The guidance replaces the 2018 version and clarifies how spill data, valid year averages, water quality impact assessments and cost-benefit considerations should be applied under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations.
The Environment Agency has granted an environmental permit variation to Drax Power Limited for carbon capture at its bioenergy plant near Selby in Yorkshire. The decision followed multiple consultations and a review of revised emissions risk information, with the regulator concluding that the operator meets the required environmental conditions.
The Environment Agency has published findings from an internal review of its regulation of waste pneumatic tyres and their export, with a particular focus on shipments to India. The review introduces enhanced verification requirements from 1 October 2025 for exporters subject to an information notice, alongside mandatory Annex VII movement forms for all waste tyre exports from 28 October 2025.
The Environment Agency is advertising an environmental permit application from Amazon Data Services UK Limited for a proposed emergency back-up generation facility associated with Ridgeway Data Centre in Iver, SL0 9JQ. The consultation relates to activities including water discharge, groundwater, medium combustion plant and specified generators, with the public invited to comment on whether the permit should be granted and what conditions should apply.
The Environment Agency has published the Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee strategy for the next decade, setting out a refreshed approach to managing flood and coastal erosion risk across the Thames region. The strategy is aligned with Defra’s flood funding reforms and the 2026 to 2029 investment programme, and it will guide how proposals are assessed against regional priorities.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on the surrender of non-nuclear radioactive substances activity permits, covering both full and partial surrender. It explains the evidence operators must provide to show radioactive materials and waste have been removed and that necessary measures have been taken to avoid pollution risk before surrender is accepted.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on developing and maintaining a radioactive waste management plan for holders of radioactive substances activity permits dealing with waste from unsealed sources. The guidance sets out expectations for lifecycle planning, use of best available techniques, waste characterisation, record-keeping and maintaining control of radioactive waste until permits are surrendered.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on when non-nuclear radioactive substances activities require an environmental permit, how permits are applied for, and how they can be varied, transferred or surrendered. It explains the distinction between sealed and unsealed sources, and notes that some activities may be out of scope or exempt under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on planning for the decommissioning of sites permitted for radioactive substances activities. It sets out a lifetime-planning approach, with decommissioning plans expected to develop over time and be proportionate to the scale, complexity and hazard of the site.
An Essex skip-hire operator and his company were sentenced after repeated Environment Agency warnings about an overflowing waste yard near Braintree were ignored. The site was found to be operating without the required environmental permit, with waste accumulation creating environmental, fire and human safety risks.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on the safe use, storage and disposal of sheep dip to reduce the risk of groundwater pollution. It sets out competency, permitting, siting and storage requirements, and warns that misuse can contaminate drinking water sources and lead to prosecution.
The Environment Agency reports that drought conditions have expanded across England following the driest July in 190 years and very low rainfall so far in August. The National Drought Group says all regions are now under pressure, with more areas moving into drought status and water-use restrictions affecting over 27 million people.
