1. Our approach to applying civil sanctions

A variable monetary penalty (VMP) is a proportionate monetary penalty we may impose for the more serious cases of non-compliance.

We may issue VMPs for more serious offences, including:

• when there is evidence of negligence or mismanagement
• when there is an environmental impact
• to remove an identifiable financial gain or saving as a result of the breach
• where prosecution is not necessary or can be avoided to get the most appropriate outcome

Read annex 1 to find out how we calculate a VMP.

We will always try to recover the money we have spent on work connected with an offence and imposing a VMP. We can serve an Enforcement Cost Recovery Notice, which will require the offender to pay the actual cost to the Environment Agency.

This list shows details of VMPs imposed by the Environment Agency between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024. It may include VMPs we have not published before.

1.1 Water Resources Act 1991

Ilchester Estates (reference VMP24)

The penalty was imposed on 23 October 2024 for the amount £19,777.69.

The offence was to abstract without a licence, or other than in accordance with a licence or a Groundwater Investigation Consent or abstract without a valid exemption or cause or permit any other person to do the same – Sections 24(1) and 24(4)(a). It relates to the over-abstraction of water at Ilchester Estates, Dorset in 2023.

They also paid Environment Agency costs of £8,298.60.