John Innes Centre: application made to abstract water
Published 23 July 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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Details of the application
John Innes Centre has applied to the Environment Agency for a licence.
The Environment Agency is giving notice of this application in accordance with Section 37 of the Water Resources Act 1991 and Regulation 6 of the Water Resources (Abstraction and Impounding) Regulations 2006.
The application is to vary licence serial number 7/34/13/*G/0161 which authorises the abstraction of water from the underground strata comprising of chalk at Colney, Norfolk at National Grid Reference (NGR) TG 18280 07520.
The variation applied for is: To add an additional borehole at NGR TG 15226 08046 near Bawburgh, Norfolk to abstract from the same source of supply at maximum rates of:
- 15,000 cubic metres a year
- 582 cubic metres a day
- 50 cubic metres an hour
- 14 litres per second.
Water will be used for the purposes of Spray irrigation and Domestic (commercial).
As a result of this variation the annual quantity authorised to be abstracted for the purpose of ‘Abstraction for agricultural purposes (spray irrigation under glass)’ at the existing borehole will be reduced from 22,500 cubic metres a year to 7,500 cubic metres a year.
How to view the application
Please contact us via email or use the number below to arrange to see the application documents.
How to comment on the application
Send any representation about this application in writing, quoting the name of the applicant and reference number NPS/WR/046930 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 20 August 2026.
For advice about how to make a representation call 03708 506 506.