The Environment Agency has updated guidance for intensive farming permit applicants on environmental risk assessment, including ammonia screening and air emissions checks. Key changes include replacing the previous ammonia screening tool with SCAIL Agriculture, updating screening distances and thresholds near protected sites, and clarifying when biomass boiler emissions assessments are required.
The Environment Agency has revoked the environmental permit for Reclamet (Holdings) Limited’s recycling centre in Birchington, Kent, citing breach of permit conditions linked to significant noise pollution and a failure to implement adequate mitigation. The operator has appealed the revocation, and the matter is due to be heard at a public inquiry in May 2026.
The Environment Agency, Drinking Water Inspectorate, Natural Resources Wales and Ofwat have published their first joint Water Industry Performance Insights report, combining evidence to give a clearer picture of water company performance. The report highlights strong drinking water quality but continued underperformance on wastewater and pollution, with regulators signalling tougher enforcement where standards are not met.
The Environment Agency has updated guidance for large producers on meeting packaging recycling obligations under extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging. The update clarifies how to acquire and use PRNs and PERNs, submit certificates or statements of compliance, and meet the 31 January deadline, alongside revised targets and fee guidance.
The Environment Agency has updated its statutory charging scheme for waste (miscellaneous), consolidating amendments through August 2025 and revising charges in line with CPI and a recent cost of service consultation. The notice also flags future annual charge increases from 1 April 2027 and updates to definitions and provisions relating to household waste and simpler recycling.
The Environment Agency has updated guidance for requesting an ammonia screening assessment as part of intensive farming permit applications. The notice confirms that the existing ammonia screening tool is being replaced by SCAIL Agriculture, with updated screening distances and revised spreadsheet forms for pigs and poultry.
The Environment Agency has opened consultation on its draft decision to grant an environmental permit to Fornax (North East) Ltd for an energy-from-waste facility at Merchant Park, Newton Aycliffe. The draft decision follows a previous public consultation and indicates the Agency is minded to approve the permit, subject to final review of responses and legal requirements.
The Environment Agency has updated its guidance on registering waste exemptions, including revised charges, new digital registration processes and clearer instructions for multiple-site and linear network registrations. It also flags that waste exemption rules are due to change from January 2027, subject to Parliamentary approval, and clarifies renewal requirements and charity eligibility.
The Environment Agency reports that water company chief executives have updated the National Drought Group on measures being taken to protect public supplies during severe drought conditions in parts of England. Actions include daily monitoring of reservoir and river levels, reduced overnight water pressure where appropriate, accelerated leak detection, and transferring water within networks to support low reservoirs.
The Environment Agency has updated its guidance on how it responds to planning consultations where proposed development also requires environmental permitting or other consenting regimes. The update clarifies the Agency’s approach, including the positions it may take in response, pre-application services, and how it considers Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
The Environment Agency has updated its Climate Change Agreements Operations Manual to reflect the launch of a new CCA scheme in January 2026. The revisions include new target methodology, facility-level reporting, updated compliance and eligibility review processes, revised reporting tools, and removal of outdated guidance and templates.
Anglian Water has been fined £1.6m after repeated sewage pollution incidents affected the River Brain in Essex over a six-week period in 2022. The Environment Agency said the pollution resulted from organisational failure, a faulty valve and missed warning signs, with untreated sewage discharged outside the company’s environmental permit.
