Environment Agency: application made to abstract water
Published 5 December 2025
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environment-agency-npswr020606-application-made-to-abstract-water/environment-agency-application-made-to-abstract-water
Details of the application
The Environment Agency has applied to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for a licence.
The Environment Agency is giving notice of this application in accordance with Section 37 of the Water Resources Act 1991 and Paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 of the Water Resources (Abstraction and Impounding) Regulations 2006.
The application is for a new transfer licence to allow the transfer of water from the River Rother at Iden Lock, Iden, Rye, East Sussex to the Royal Military Canal at National Grid Reference TQ 93666 24466.
This is an existing historical (unlicensed) transfer of water. The transfer has been occurring since the 1980s and is considered essential to ensure water is available to feed the internal drainage ditches and marshes known as Walland Marsh and Romney Marsh to subsequently supply downstream abstractors, wet fencing needs and ecological water level requirements.
Abstraction will be permitted all year.
The abstraction is estimated to take the following quantities:
- 7,905,600 cubic metres per year
- 43,200 cubic metres per day
- At a maximum instantaneous rate of 500 litres per second.
How to view the application
Please contact us via email or use the number below if you wish to see information contained on the public register.
How to comment on the application
Send any representation about this application in writing, quoting the reference number NPS/WR/020606 to the Environment Agency, at the Permitting and Support Centre, Water Resources Team, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue, Sheffield, S9 4WF or by email to PSC-WaterResources@environment-agency.gov.uk
By 02 January 2026.
After the 02 January 2026, the Environment Agency will be able to grant a licence authorising the proposal. The licence shall be viewed as granted, unless the Secretary of State, either as a result of any representations made about the proposal or otherwise, instructs or asks for an application to be made to them.
For advice about how to make a representation call 03708 506 506.