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Notice

Sizewell C Limited: application made to abstract water

Published 14 August 2026

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2026

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sizewell-c-limited-npswr047455-application-made-to-abstract-water/sizewell-c-limited-application-made-to-abstract-water

Details of the application

Sizewell C Limited 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.

Sizewell C Limited has applied for a licence to remove groundwater from the main construction area at Sizewell C to allow construction works to take place safely. The water would be discharged to the North Sea without being used.

The application is for a full licence to abstract water from underground strata (sand and gravel deposits – crag formation) within two areas in Leiston, Suffolk: Unit 1 and Unit 2. The National Grid References forming the perimeter of the two areas are:

  • Unit 1: TM 47026 64348, TM 47396 64420, TM 47559 64306, TM 47588 64306, TM 47588 64151, TM 47416 64150, TM 47416 64142, TM 47293 64142, TM 47293 64094, TM 47173 64094, TM 47173 64115, TM 47026 64115.

  • Unit 2: TM 47026 64115, TM 47173 64115, TM 47173 64094, TM 47293 64094, TM 47293 64142, TM 47416 64142, TM 47416 64150, TM 47588 64151, TM 47588 63787, TM 47001 63787, TM 47001 64052, TM 47026 64091.

The abstracted (taken) water from Unit 1 & Unit 2 in Leiston, Suffolk will be transferred to National Grid Reference TM 47980 64343 in the North Sea under the conditions of environmental permit EPR/HB3542KC without intervening use.

The application is to abstract water as follows:

  • 900 cubic metres an hour

  • 21,600 cubic metres a day

  • 4,237,920 cubic metres a year

  • between 1 April and 31 March inclusive in each year.

The purpose of this activity is to dewater the main construction area. The water will have no intervening use.

How to view the application

Please contact us via e-mail or use the number below to arrange to see the application documents. Further information about our regulatory work at Sizewell C can be found here

Online: view and comment on the application

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/047455 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 11 September 2026.

For advice about how to make a representation call 03708 506 506.

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