1. About the licensing strategy

This strategy sets out how we manage new and existing abstraction and impoundments within the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area in the South West river basin district.

Our approach ensures that we:

• meet river basin management plan objectives for water resources activities
• avoid deterioration within this area

We apply this approach to the water body in which the abstraction is located.

It also applies to:

• all downstream surface water bodies that may be affected by any reduction in abstraction-related flow
• adjacent groundwater bodies affected by any reduction in groundwater level

Our guidance on managing water abstraction gives the technical explanation, legal and policy requirements behind the abstraction licensing strategy (ALS).

Please see our guidance if you need to:

• check if you need a licence to abstract water
• check if you need a licence to impound water
• apply for an abstraction or impounding licence

1.1 Collaborative and sustainable water management

Our long term goal is to develop a stronger catchment focus for water resources. We are working with abstractors and catchment groups to: 

• develop local solutions to existing pressures
• prepare for the future

Catchment groups may include a variety of different partnership groups such as: 

• abstractor groups
• local catchment partnerships
• priority catchment groups
• environmental groups

In priority catchments across England we have explored:

• modern and innovative ways of improving access to water 
• alternative ways to achieving sustainable abstraction

This strategy is a tool to make informed decisions on the choices abstractors make about their use of water. We want this strategy to help abstractors plan their water use and become more resilient in the face of climate change.

2. Area overview

The North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area covers approximately 1,315km² in south west England (Map 1). It is divided into 2 catchments:

• North Cornwall
• Seaton, Looe and Fowey

Map 1: overview of the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area

The North Cornwall and Seaton, Looe and Fowey catchments are characterised by their spectacular rocky coastlines and rural character, ranging from open moorland to intensive horticultural use. Major towns include Bodmin, Newquay, Wadebridge, Liskeard and Bude.

The geology of these catchment areas comprises mainly sandstones, slates and shales with the granite of Bodmin Moor in the centre. Bodmin moor is a result of a large granite intrusion from the late Carboniferous and early Permian period which forms part of a much larger underlying granite batholith. This has had the effect of metamorphosing the surrounding sedimentary rocks creating significant metaliferous deposits which have historically been mined throughout Cornwall. The catchments are also characterised by many small coastal streams and rivers with the Rivers Fowey and Camel being the largest rivers in the area draining Bodmin Moor.

More information on the catchments can be found on the catchment data explorer and Magic map.

2.1 Landscape and land use

Away from the larger towns much of the land is agricultural with many small, scattered communities. The majority of this agricultural land is undulating but many of the coastal streams have very steep valleys, some wooded. Upland areas tend to be managed grasslands supporting low density grazing stock whilst the lower river valleys support arable crops and larger dairy herds.

This area is the focus for much of Cornwall’s tourist industry, especially on the north coast. A number of fishing ports still exist here, but the pleasure boat industry has become more significant in recent years. The River Camel is an ecologically important river designated as a special area of conservation (SAC). There is no heavy industry in this area but there is a legacy of historic mining activity.

There are approximately 1,599 farms covering 101,429 hectares of farmland in the North Cornwall and Seaton, Looe and Fowey catchments. (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) farm statistics).

Table 1: land use type proportion of area (%)

Land use	Proportion (%)
Permanent grassland	55.99
Arable	21.76
Forested	13.08
Urban	6.13
Other	3.03

Land use statistics based upon LCM2019 © NERC (UKCEH) 2020.

2.2 Water resources

The North Cornwall catchment incorporates all the rivers draining into the Atlantic Ocean between Pentire Point in the south and Marsland Mouth in the north.

It includes larger rivers below, plus many small coastal streams:

• Gannel
• Menalhyl
• Camel
• Valency
• Strat
• Neet

The River Camel is designated as a special area of conservation (SAC), which contributes to biodiversity by maintaining and restoring habitats and species. Atlantic Salmon are listed as a species of interest. Salmon have seen a marked decline in recent years in the River Camel.

SACs are referred to as Natura 2000 sites and are subject to the Common Standards Monitoring Guidance (CSMG) targets of no more than 5% deviation from naturalised flows at low flows and 10% deviation from naturalised flows at all other flows. This target is set to preserve the qualifying features of the SAC. See section 4.7.

The Seaton Looe and Fowey catchment covers the surface water catchments of the Rivers Seaton, Looe and Fowey:

• the River Seaton incorporates the Tremar Stream and Menheniot Stream
• the River Looe incorporates the East Looe River and West Looe River
• the River Fowey incorporates the St Neot River, Warleggan River, Cardinham Water, River Lerryn, Trebant Water and Pont Pill

Other smaller areas within this coastal stretch, such as the Polperro Stream are also included. The main urban areas are Liskeard, Looe, Lostwithiel and Fowey.

The St Neot River catchment includes Colliford Reservoir, which supplies water to 65% of households in Cornwall.

Under the requirements of The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 (WFD Regulations 2017) a total of 45 river water bodies have been defined within the North Conwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area. Water bodies are the surface water or groundwater units on which we carry out resource assessments.

In addition, there are 6 lake water bodies:

• Colliford Lake
• Siblyback Lake
• Crowdy Reservoir
• Stannon Lake
• Dozmary Pool
• Park Lake

A total of 85 groundwater and surface water abstraction licences are currently authorised in the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area (not including non-consumptive abstractions for hydroelectric power (HEP) generation).

This does not take into account the abstractions that do not require a licence. Activities that do not need an abstraction licence are listed in the guidance Check if you need a licence to abstract water.

The proportion of water abstracted by different sectors, based on total licensed quantities not including HEP generation, is summarised in Table 2.

Table 2: Approximate proportion of water abstracted by sector

Abstraction licence sector	Total licensed water quantity (cubic meters per year)	Proportion of total licensed water quantity (%)
Public water supply	53,353,187.26	68.34
Industry and commercial	10,283,669	13.17
Agriculture	9,435,663.69	12.08
Amenity and environmental	4,922,632	6.31
Energy generation (not including HEP)	79,205	0.10
Total	78,074,356.95	100.00

Owing to the rural nature of the North Cornwall catchment there are few large licences serving industry. The largest licences by quantity are non-consumptive serving HEP. In addition there are large consumptive abstractions for public water supply, most notably at De Lank Water Treatment Works and Crowdy Reservoir.

The main abstractions in the Seaton, Looe and Fowey catchment are for public water supply. The public water supply abstractions include Colliford and Siblyback reservoir abstractions and Trekeivesteps and Restormel direct river abstractions.

There are also other smaller abstractions to service agricultural, tourism, commercial, domestic and amenity needs.

South West Water (SWW) is the principal public water supplier for the North Cornwall and Seaton, Looe and Fowey catchments and operate the above public water supply abstractions.

An influx of summer visitors to the region changes the pattern of demand for the summer season. Water supply must be designed to cope with this seasonal demand.

2.3 Climate change

Climate change represents one of the greatest challenges for future sustainable management of water resources and will likely impact on the quantity and seasonal availability of water resources within these catchments.

2.4 Partnership working

There is a focus on developing collaborative approaches to water resources management and planning. We are seeking to engage with stakeholders to find solutions to water scarcity within these catchments. This brings together stakeholders from a range of interests to address issues in the catchments.

The Cornwall Catchment Partnership works collaboratively with partners to move Cornwall towards climate resilient catchments with a long-term sustainable future. Projects are developed in an integrated way to support a catchment-based approach with a focus on working at a catchment scale to improve the water environment.

A number of projects are in delivery, and development, to support this approach. These include:

• Water for Growth Riparian Trees
• Water for Growth Fowey and Camel Easements and Technical Solutions (FACETS)

These projects will improve fish passage and riparian buffer strips in the Camel and Fowey catchments and lead to funding and partnerships to extend these outcomes.

3. Water resource availability in the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area

3.1 Surface water availability

The method for calculating the water resource availability is explained in managing water abstraction. Water availability is estimated at selected assessment points (APs). The maps show the water availability estimated at the AP. At a water body scale the availability may differ.

There are 19 APs in the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area.

12 are in the North Cornwall catchment:

• AP 1, Gannel covers the following river reaches and tributaries: Gannel (Upper and Lower) and Benny Stream
• AP 2, Porth and Menalhyl covers the Porth Stream and Porth Reservoir.
• AP 3, Polmorla-Porthcothan covers Polmorla Stream
• AP 4, Lower Camel covers Demelza Stream (Ruthern), Upper & Lower River Ruthern, Lanivet Stream, St Lawrences Stream and Lower River Camel
• AP 5, De Lank covers De Lank River
• AP 6, Upper Camel covers Camel (De Lank to Stannon), Stannon Stream, Upper River Camel and Crowdy Reservoir and Stannon Lake
• AP 7, Allen covers River Allen
• AP 8, Amble covers River Amble, Amble tributary (Camel) and Upper River Amble.
• AP 9, Valency covers Valency
• AP 10, Neet covers Jacob Stream, Upper and Lower River Neet
• AP 11, Strat covers Upper and Lower River Strat
• AP 12, Marsland-Coombe Valley covers Marsland Water

7 APs are in the Seaton, Looe and Fowey catchment:

• AP 1, Upper Fowey covers Fowey (Upper) and includes Siblyback Lake
• AP 2, St Neot covers St Neot River and includes Colliford Lake
• AP 3, Lower Fowey covers Lower River Fowey, Warleggan River and Cardinham Water
• AP 4, Lerryn covers Lerryn River
• AP 5, West Looe covers West Looe River
• AP 6, East Looe covers East Looe River
• AP 7, Seaton covers River Seaton

In addition to availability, new surface water abstractions will be subject to the further considerations described in section 3.5.

3.2 Water resource availability colours and implications for licensing

We use colours to represent different surface water availability at a range of flows.

Water available for licensing

Green

There is more water than required to meet the needs of the environment. New licences can be considered depending on local and downstream impacts. Licences will be issued with a HoF restriction to protect environmental requirements at lower flows.

Restricted water available for licensing

Yellow

Full licensed flows fall below the environmental flow indicators (EFI).

If all licensed water is abstracted there will not be enough water left for the needs of the environment. No new consumptive licences would be granted. It is likely we’ll be taking action to reduce full licensed risks. Water may be available if you can ‘buy’ (known as licence trading) the entitlement to abstract water from an existing licence holder.

Water not available for licensing

Red

Recent actual flows are below the EFI (or have been overridden by a downstream AP where flows are below the EFI).

This scenario highlights water bodies where flows are below the indicative flow requirement to help support a healthy ecology in our rivers. We will not grant further licences in these water bodies.

We are currently taking action in these water bodies. Water may be available if you can buy (known as licence trading) the amount equivalent to recently abstracted from an existing licence holder.

Heavily modified water bodies (and discharge rich water bodies)

Grey

These water bodies have a modified flow that is influenced by reservoir compensation releases, or they have flows that are augmented. These are often known as ‘regulated rivers’. They may be managed through an operating agreement, often held by a water company. The availability of water is dependent on these operating agreements. There’s more detail in section 4.

There may be water available for abstraction in discharge rich catchments. You need to contact the Environment Agency to find out more.

The water resource availability is calculated, and the colour assigned, at 4 different flows:

• Q30 – the flow of a river which is exceeded on average for 30% of the time, therefore you would expect the river flow to be lower than Q30 on 256 days in an average year, that is, a higher flow
• Q50 – the flow of a river which is exceeded on average 50% of the time, therefore you would expect the river flow to be lower than Q50 on 183 days in an average year, that is, a moderate flow
• Q70 – the flow of a river which is exceeded on average for 70% of the time, therefore you would expect the river flow to be lower than Q70 on 110 days in an average year, that is, below moderate flow
• Q95 – the flow of a river which is exceeded on average for 95% of the time, therefore you would expect the river flow to be lower than Q95 on 18 days in an average year, that is, a low flow

3.3 Water availability maps

The water availability colours for the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey ALS are presented in Maps 2 to 5 below.

Tables 3 and 4 provide a summary of this information.

Map 2: water resource availability colours Q30 for North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey ALS

Map 3: water resource availability colours at Q50 for North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey ALS

Map 4: water resource availability colours at Q70 for North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey ALS

Map 5: water resource availability colours at Q95 for North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey ALS

Table 3: summary of Maps 2 to 5 – water availability at each assessment point by flow category in the North Cornwall catchment 

AP and name	Q30	Q50	Q70	Q95
1 Gannel	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing
2 Porth and Menalhyl (includes Porth Reservoir)	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	No water available for licensing	No water available for licensing
3 Polmorla-Porthcothan	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing
4 Lower Camel	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Restricted water available for licensing
5 De Lank	No water available for licensing	No water available for licensing	No water available for licensing	No water available for licensing
6 Upper Camel	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Restricted water available for licensing
7 Allen	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Restricted water available for licensing
8 Amble	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing
9 Valency	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing
10 Neet	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing
11 Strat	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing
12 Marsland-Coombe Valley	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing

Table 4: summary of Maps 2 to 5 – water availability at each assessment point by flow category in the Seaton, Looe and Fowey catchment

AP and name	Q30	Q50	Q70	Q95
1 Upper Fowey (includes Siblyback Lake)	Restricted water available for licensing	No water available for licensing	No water available for licensing	No water available for licensing
2 St Neot (includes Colliford Lake)	No water available for licensing	No water available for licensing	No water available for licensing	No water available for licensing
3 Lower Fowey	Restricted water available for licensing	No water available for licensing	No water available for licensing	No water available for licensing
4 Lerryn	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing
5 West Looe	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing
6 East Looe	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing
7 Seaton	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing	Water available for licensing

3.4 Groundwater resource availability

Water availability is the same for surface water and groundwater in the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey ALS.

Abstracting groundwater can impact on overlying surface water bodies. This impact is measured at the surface water AP. We cannot grant new groundwater licences where abstraction is reducing flows to below the indicative flow requirement to help support a healthy ecology. This is based on Q95 flows.

We must also account for:

• the impact of abstraction on protected sites
• the risk of saline intrusion

3.5 Resource reliability

If you want to apply for a licence, it’s worth considering the reliability of your abstraction.

By assessing the quantity of water available at different flows it’s possible to see:

• when there is a surplus or deficit of water
• the associated reliability of an abstraction

Map 6 gives an indication of the resource reliability for consumptive abstraction in the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area expressed as a percentage of time.

In the North Cornwall catchment:

• APs 1, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12: water is available for consumptive abstraction at least 95% of the time (or 347 days per year)
• APs 4, 6 and 7: water may only be available for consumptive abstraction 70% of the time (or 256 days per year)
• AP 2: water may only be available for consumptive abstraction 50% of the time (or 183 days per year)
• AP 5: no water available for consumptive abstraction (0 days per year)

In the Seaton, Looe and Fowey catchment:

• APs 4, 5, 6 and 7: water is available for consumptive abstraction at least 95% of the time (or 347 days per year)
• APs 1 and 3: water may only be available for consumptive abstraction 30% of the time (or 110 days per year)
• AP 2: no water available for consumptive abstraction (0 years per year)

This is an indication only. The actual reliability of a surface water licence will be discussed when you apply.

Map 6: water resource reliability of the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area expressed as percentage of time available

3.6 Other considerations for resource availability and reliability

We will add constraints to licences such as HoF conditions to protect:

• the environment
• the rights of other abstractors

As a result, when we grant a licence, it doesn’t mean that we guarantee a supply of water. These conditions specify that if the flow in the river drops below what’s needed to protect the environment, abstraction must reduce or stop. In dry years, restrictions are likely to apply more often. This will affect the reliability of supply.

There is no guarantee that we will grant licences even where water is available for abstraction. This is because we have to determine each application on its own merits. Local factors may mean we’re either unable to grant a licence as applied for, or even at all.

New licences within the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area will be time limited and issued with a common end date (CED), which allows them to be reviewed at the same time.

To ensure the initial CED will give a licence duration of between 6 and 18 years, if an application is made within 6 years of a CED, we will generally apply the subsequent CED to any licence granted. As the next CED for North Cornwall catchment is scheduled for 31 March 2029 we will therefore apply the subsequent CED of 31 March 2041. 

The next CED for Seaton, Looe and Fowey catchment is 31 March 2028 and the subsequent one is 31 March 2040.

Short-term licences may be necessary where monitoring is required to reduce uncertainty regarding the impact of an abstraction.

Variations and renewals

Licence variations and the renewal of time-limited licences will be re-issued provided it can be shown:

• the abstraction is sustainable
• there is continued justification of need
• the water is used efficiently

If this is not the case, we may apply more restrictive conditions to the licence.

If your water abstraction licence needs to change, we will consider the impact of those changes on the environment and other abstractors before issuing a variation.

In catchments where water resources are not available or are restricted, we may seek to recover water through the licence renewal or variation process. There’s guidance on renewing a time-limited licence on GOV.UK.

Non-consumptive abstractions

An abstraction is considered non-consumptive where the water removed is returned to the river at, or near, the point of abstraction without any significant loss. Whilst non-consumptive abstraction should have a neutral impact on water resources, we may apply restrictions to minimise effects on flow-depleted reaches. Additional restrictions may also be applied if a non-consumptive abstraction removes water from one catchment and discharges to another.

The most common type of non-consumptive surface water abstraction in the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area is used for HEP. Use our contact details to obtain guidance on HEP applications.

3.7 Impoundments

Applications for impoundment licences will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and take into account the requirements of our Habitats Directive obligations for designated sites and WFD Regulations 2017 obligations such as ensuring no likelihood of water body ecological deterioration.

An impoundment is a dam, weir or other construction in an inland waterway that obstructs or impedes flow or raises water levels. Our assessment of an impoundment application takes into consideration its potential impacts on the environment (such as fish migration), flood risk, downstream water users and flow modification. In line with current legislation, we do not time limit impoundment licences.

You must have an impoundment licence before you start to construct, alter, repair or remove an impoundment structure, even in an emergency. However, in certain circumstances licence exemptions apply and if we deem there is little or no impact on the environment and other water users, you may not need a licence. Please contact the Environment Agency if you intend to construct, alter, repair or remove an impoundment structure so that we may advise you whether a licence is required.

Use the Environment Agency’s guidance to check if you need a licence to impound water.

4. How we manage water availability in the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area

4.1 Surface water

We assess surface water flows at APs, which are significant points on a river, often where 2 major rivers join or at a gauging station. APs cover multiple surface water bodies.

Water availability is the same for surface water and ground water in the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area.

Tables 5 and 6 gives an indication of:

• whether there is water available for further abstraction
• the associated restrictions we may have to apply to new and varied abstraction licences from the main river

Depending on the nature of the catchment, tributaries to the main river may be subject to different restrictions and quantities. This will be assessed locally on a case-by-case basis.

Each HoF is linked to an AP and is dependent on the resource availability at that AP. In some cases, additional restrictions may apply to licences where there is a more critical AP resource availability downstream. This protects the ecological requirements of the river and other water users. This is detailed in the last column of Tables 5 and 6 if applicable.

All abstraction licence applications are subject to an assessment. This takes account of any local and downstream issues. It may be subject to further restrictions.

In cases where there is water available at all flows, we may apply a minimum residual flow (MRF) to protect very low flows. We’ll decide this on a case-by-case basis.

Table 5 Summary of licensing approach for the assessment points of the North Cornwall catchment

AP and name	Water resource availability	Is there a gauging station at this AP?	Additional restrictions
1 Gannel	Water may be available at all flows subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	Yes	Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at Gwills Gauging Station or a local HoF will apply.
2 Porth and Menalhyl	Water may be available at moderate and high flows, subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	No	Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at Gwills Gauging Station or a local HoF will apply.
3 Polmorla-Porthcothan	Water may be available at all flows subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	No	Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at a suitable gauging station or a local HoF will apply.
4 Lower Camel	Water may be available at moderate and high flows, subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	Yes	CSMG targets will apply. Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at Bodmin Dunmere Gauging Station or a local HoF will apply.
5 De Lank	Water not available for licensing.	Yes	We have reduced existing abstractions in this catchment to meet the requirements of the CSMG targets, and therefore we are unable to licence additional water for further consumptive abstraction.
6 Upper Camel	Water may be available at moderate and high flows, subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	No	CSMG targets will apply. Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at a suitable gauging station or a local HoF will apply.
7 Allen	Water may be available at moderate and high flows, subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	No	CSMG targets will apply. Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at a suiable gauging station or a local HoF will apply.
8 Amble	Water may be available at all flows subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	No	Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at a suitable gauging station or a local HoF will apply.
9 Valency	Water may be available at all flows subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	No	Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at a suitable gauging station or a local HoF will apply.
10 Neet	Water may be available at all flows subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	No	Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at a suitable gauging station or a local HoF will apply.
11 Strat	Water may be available at all flows subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	Yes	Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at a suitable gauging station or a local HoF will apply.
12 Marsland-Coombe Valley	Water may be available at all flows subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	Yes	Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at a suitable gauging station or a local HoF will apply.

Table 6 Summary of licensing approach for the assessment points of the Seaton, Looe and Fowey catchment

AP and name	Water resource availability	Is there a gauging station at this AP?	Additional restrictions
1 Upper Fowey	Water may be available at high flows, subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	Yes	Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at a suitable gauging station or a local HoF will apply. Will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
2 St Neot	Water not available for licensing.	Yes	We will not accept applications for new consumptive abstractions in order to protect the environment.
3 Lower Fowey	Water may be available at high flows, subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	Yes	Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at a suitable gauging station or a local HoF will apply. Will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
4 Lerryn	Water may be available at all flows subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	Yes	Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at a suitable gauging station or a local HoF will apply.
5 West Looe	Water may be available at all flows subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	Yes	Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at Trebrownbridge Gauging Station or a local HoF will apply.
6 East Looe	Water may be available at all flows subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	Yes	Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at Trebrownbridge Gauging Station or a local HoF will apply.
7 Seaton	Water may be available at all flows subject to local assessment. New licences could be considered.	Yes	Any new surface water abstraction will have a HoF that applies at Trebrownbridge Gauging Station or a local HoF will apply.

4.2 Historic licences

There are some historic licences that do not meet modern standards for the protection of flow and river ecology. These licences are not time limited and do not go through the renewal process.

For these licences of concern, we will work with the licence holder to negotiate changes to improve river flow. Where we are unable to progress voluntary licence changes, we may serve notice to enforce those changes.

4.3 Coasts and estuaries

WFD Regulations 2017 coastal water bodies within, or overlapping, the North Cornwall,Seaton Looe and Fowey area include:

• North Cornwall
• Lands End to Trevose Head
• St Austell
• Plymouth Coast

WFD Regulations 2017 transitional water bodies include:

• Camel Estuary
• Gannel Estuary
• Fowey Estuary
• Looe Estuary

4.4 Heavily modified water bodies

These water bodies can be classified for many reasons, but for water resources they are classified if they may contain a lake or reservoir that influences the downstream flow regime of the river. The downstream ‘flow modified’ water bodies are also classified as heavily modified. They are designated for water resource purposes if the flow regime has been altered by flow regulation or augmentation.

In the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area, there are 6 heavily modified water bodies. These are:

• Crowdy Reservoir
• Stannon Lake
• Colliford Lake
• Siblyback Lake
• Park Lake
• St Neot

There are other water bodies in the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area which have been designated as heavily modified water bodies for reasons other than water resources. These include flood protection, navigation, urbanisation and land drainage.

4.5 Protected sites

The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (Habitats Regulations) provides a very high level of protection to 2 types of designated sites due to their special environment. These are:

• special areas of conservation (SAC), which contribute to biodiversity by maintaining and restoring habitats and species
• special protection area (SPA), which provides protection to birds and their nests, eggs and habitats

Several areas within the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area are designated as SACs, SPAs and sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) and additional restrictions may be applied to abstractions near or within these areas based on local assessment of impact on these sites. A list of these protective sites can be found under the ‘Land Based Designations’ on Magic map.

Government policy treats Ramsar sites (internationally important wetland sites) in the same way as SACs and SPAs. Ramsars, SACs and SPAs are referred to collectively as European sites. SSSIs also carry a high level of environmental importance.

Conservation objectives are the main objectives for European and SSSI protected sites to maintain at, or to reach, favourable condition. These are set by Natural England. The process for setting targets is described through the Joint Nature Conservation committee approved ‘Common Standards Monitoring Guidance’.

Natural England use these targets to assess the condition of European and SSSI protected sites. These quantitative targets are considered by Natural England as a pre-requisite for achieving the conservation objectives for European or SSSI designated sites. We have a duty to have regard to Natural England’s advice when determining licence applications that may impact on a designated site.

We may need more detailed supporting information when a licence application could impact on a designated conservation site. This will allow us to complete the required statutory assessment.

5. Managing these catchments together

5.1 Action on unsustainable abstraction

Our guidance on managing water abstraction gives details on:

• what an unsustainable abstraction is
• the measures available to resolve environmental issues caused by abstraction

WFD Regulations 2017 helps us to focus on the ecological ‘health’ of our water environment. Its primary objectives are to prevent deterioration of ecological status or potential (for heavily modified water bodies), and where necessary, to restore ‘good ecological status or potential’ for surface water or ‘good status’ for groundwater. The flow regime is a supporting element to attaining good ecological status.

We will investigate where reduced water flow is contributing to environmental concerns attributed to licensed abstraction. Investigations into the impact caused by these licences may result in options being developed with licence holders on how to improve the sustainability of their abstraction. Options will include a cost and benefit analysis.

Revocation for non-use or reduction of underused licences

There is a large volume of water licensed within abstraction licences that has not been abstracted for a number of years. This limits water availability for those that need it. In some cases, it also represents a significant environmental risk if abstraction were to be restarted.

The Environment Agency has an unused licences programme which aims to reduce licensed abstraction which is not being used. This helps to reduce the risk of future deterioration and may release unused water for future licensing. Most changes to licensed quantities are made voluntarily. However, where there is risk of environmental damage, the Environment Agency can propose the revocation of unused licences. This is done using the legal powers under section 52 of the Water Resources Act 1991.

Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP)

Every 5 years, the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) sets out the requirements on water companies to address unsustainable abstraction. These are needed to meet the WFD Regulations 2017 and national targets.

The current WINEP period is April 2020 to March 2025.

There were 2 investigations at De Lank river and Porth stream related to flow targets. Investigations were completed to assess the licence changes needed for the abstraction on the De Lank river to achieve CSMG flow targets in the River Camel. Also licence changes for the abstraction on the Porth stream to prevent any ecological deterioration in the WFD Regulations 2017 water body. Actions identified, including changes to the abstraction regime and habitat improvements, will be delivered in the next WINEP period from April 2025 to March 2030

South West Water are also planning to undertake investigations across all their abstractions and reservoirs in the North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area between April 2025 and March 2030. These will consider the existing impacts from the abstractions on river flow and ecology, and how abstractions may need to change in the future due to likely changes in river flows due to climate change. These investigations will inform decisions about the improvements required in future WINEP cycles. The actions and investigations will be confirmed in December 2024. These investigations aim to:

• assess the impact abstractions are having on river flows and groundwater levels
• identify how the licences can be changed to restore flows to protect ecology
• Identify future licence changes or other mitigation actions required to protect ecology under a range of climate change scenarios

The process to identify actions for the WINEP has become more collaborative with wider engagement to deliver multiple benefits for catchments. This new process has been used for the next WINEP (2025 to 2030).

5.2 Approaches to sustainable water management

5 regional groups have been created in England to develop long-term water resources plans up to 2050 and beyond. The North Cornwall, Seaton, Looe and Fowey area falls in the Westcountry Water Resources Group. The area covered by this group includes Cornwall, Devon, South & West Somerset, Bristol Avon, Dorset, and Hampshire Avon.

It is a multi-sector group that includes representatives from:

• the water companies
• National Farmers’ Union
• Drinking Water Inspectorate
• Consumer Council for Water
• Natural England
• Ofwat
• Canal and Rivers Trust

The regional groups have been tasked with considering the challenges and producing multi-sector regional plans. These will set out how water supply and demand will be managed over the long-term for people, businesses, and agriculture, whilst protecting the environment. They will need to understand environmental needs and develop the long-term environmental destination for water resources by:

• ensuring no deterioration
• addressing unsustainable abstraction
• improving environmental resilience in the face of climate change

The regional plans will set out the actions that water companies and other abstractors will need to take to reach the long-term environmental destination. Draft plans are published on the West Country Water Resources Group.

We have provided information to this group to help them identify catchments with existing or potential problems.

5.3 Water rights trading

We want to make it easier to trade water rights. A water rights trade is where a licence holder sells all or part of their water right, as defined by their abstraction licence, to another licence holder on a permanent or temporary basis. In the majority of cases a trade will involve a change in abstraction location or use which we will need to approve through the issue or variation of abstraction licences. Our approach to licensing water rights trades will depend on the water resource availability where the buyer and seller are located.

In licensing trades, as with new abstraction licences, we need to make sure that we do not impact SAC designated species and habitats nor cause any ecological deterioration in WFD Regulations 2017 water body status, either within the water bodies where the trade will take place or to downstream water bodies.

This section provides a guide to the potential for trading in water bodies of a particular ALS water resource availability colour, as shown on maps 2 to 5.

To find out more about licence trading, use our guidance on trading water abstraction rights. 

Guide to potential trading based on water resource availability

Water available for licensing

Green

There may be opportunities to allow trades of recent actual abstraction and licensed abstraction. But little demand for trading expected within water body as water available for new abstractions.

Restricted water available for licensing

Yellow

There may be opportunities for licence holders to trade up to their full licensed quantities. But the quantities of water available to trade may be restricted once levels of actual abstraction reach sustainable limits. We will not permit licence trades in water bodies where we are taking action to prevent deterioration unless the trade is consistent with achieving water body objectives.

Water not available for licensing

Red

We will only trade recent actual abstraction but no increase in recent actual abstraction is permitted in water body. Licensed abstraction will be recovered for the environment.

Heavily modified water bodies

Grey

Opportunities for trading will depend on local operating agreements and local management.

Find out more about licence trading.

6. Glossary

Abstraction: Removal of water from a source of supply (surface or groundwater).

Abstraction licence: The authorisation granted by the Environment Agency to allow the removal of water.

Assessment point: A significant point on a river, often where 2 major rivers join or at a gauging station.

Catchment: The area from which precipitation and groundwater will collect and contribute to the flow of a specific river.

Catchment based approach: Partnership working at the river catchment scale to deliver a range of environmental, social and economic benefits while protecting our precious water environments for the benefit of all.

Consumptive abstraction: Abstraction where a significant proportion of the water is not returned to the source of supply after use. For example, for the use of spray irrigation, general agriculture, domestic use, public water supply and water bottling.

Deterioration: Deterioration is a change in the class of any one of the quality elements used to determine the WFD Regulations 2017 status in a water body from its existing class to the class below, or any deterioration within the lowest class. It is not a change within a class unless already in the lowest class.

Discharge: The release of substances (for example, water, treated sewage effluent) into surface waters.

Environmental flow indicator: Flow indicator to prevent environmental deterioration of rivers, set in line with new UK standards set by UKTAG.

Groundwater: Water that is contained in underground rocks.

Hands off flow: A condition attached to an abstraction licence which states that if flow (in the river) falls below the level specified on the licence, the abstractor will be required to reduce or stop the abstraction.

Impoundment: A structure that obstructs or impedes the flow of inland water, such as a dam, weir or other constructed works.

Non-consumptive: Non-consumptive water use is a use of water that does not cause a reduction in the source of supply and in which most, if not all of the water is returned without delay to the same source of supply.

Surface water: This is a general term used to describe all water features such as rivers, streams, springs, ponds and lakes.

Water body: Units of either surface water or groundwater which we use to assess water availability.

The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017: Referred to as the WFD regulations 2017, to provide a framework for managing the water environment in England and Wales. These regulations revoke and replace the European Union Water Framework Directive.