Understanding groundwater protection

Some activities subject to planning may also require an Environmental Permit.  Advice may be given when the consultees respond to the planning application as to whether a permit is required for your activity. 

Note: The issuing of environmental permits is a separate process.  Granting of planning permission does not guarantee that a permit will be issued.

You may need an Environmental Permit¹ or other form of Consent / Licence from the Environment Agency if the development or any associated works (e.g. site preparation or construction) includes:

• Dewatering
• Treatment of contaminated soils and/or groundwater
• Importation and deposition of materials to land
• The discharge (or potential discharge) of pollutants to ground (groundwater)
• Activities within 20 metres of a main river, a flood defence or flow control structure
• Activities that directly affect a watercourse that is not a main river
• An activity (e.g., land raising) in the floodplain of a main river which could affect flood flow or storage, and potential impacts are not controlled by a planning permission

Check if you need permission to do work on a river, flood defence or sea defence². Do this as soon as possible to make sure you can get the necessary permissions.

If there is a watercourse (including culverted watercourses) on or near your site, you should also read Owning a watercourse³ to understand your responsibilities and the rules you need to follow. A culvert is an underground structure that water can flow through.

Flood risk permits or consents are often needed as well as planning permission. Getting planning permission does not guarantee you’ll also get a flood risk permit or consent.

Further information

• Other considerations before you start work⁴
• Other permissions you may require⁵

1. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-you-need-an-environmental-permit
2. https://www.gov.uk/permission-work-on-river-flood-sea-defence
3. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/owning-a-watercourse
4. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/responsibilities/other-considerations-before-you-start-work
5. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/responsibilities/other-permissions-you-may-require