Licences and permits

Abstract and/or impound water (Northern Ireland)

You need a licence to abstract and/or impound water in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Executive · Northern Ireland

Agriculture: animals · Environment: water

Abstract water (England)

If you abstract water or plan to, you may need to apply for an abstraction licence.

Environment Agency · England

Any trade

Apply for a River Thames accommodation licence

Get a licence to build, change or retain a structure on or in the River Thames.

Environment Agency · England · No national statute

Environment: water

Authorisations to impound water (Scotland)

You must apply for an authorisation from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to build a dam or weir in Scotland.

Scottish Government · Scotland

Any trade

Consent to discharge into a watercourse (Northern Ireland)

You must have permission to discharge certain substances into a waterway or water contained in any underground strata in Northern Ireland

Your council · Northern Ireland

Environment: water

Diving contractor registration (Northern Ireland)

You must be registered to operate as a diving contractor in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Executive · Northern Ireland

Environment: water · Marine and marine transport

Flood risk activities (England)

You may need an environmental permit to do work in or by a main river, flood defence structure or sea defence, or in a …

Environment Agency · England

Any trade

Goods vehicle operator licences

You need a goods vehicle operator’s licence if your business uses a goods vehicle with either a gross plated weight (the maximum weight that …

Traffic Commissioners · England, Wales and Scotland

Any trade

Impound water (England)

If you impound water, or plan to, you may need to apply for an impounding licence.

Environment Agency · England

Any trade

Operating an A1 installation (England)

You must apply for an environmental permit if you operate a facility which is classed as an ‘A1 installation’.

Environment Agency · England

Any trade

Private water bailiff authorisation (Northern Ireland)

You need a magistrate to endorse the appointment of a private water bailiff to police a body of water in Northern Ireland

Your council · Northern Ireland

Environment: water

Recognition of natural mineral water (Northern Ireland)

If you want to market natural mineral water in Northern Ireland, you must apply for recognition from the local district council

Your council · Northern Ireland

Environment: water

Scheduled monument consent (Wales)

You must have consent to carry out any works to a scheduled monument.

Welsh Government · Wales

Any trade

Standpipe licence (Northern Ireland)

Get permission to take water from a public water main in Northern Ireland on a temporary basis

Northern Ireland Executive · Northern Ireland

Environment: water

Using a boat on inland waterways

You usually need to register your boat to use it on inland waterways, such as rivers and canals.

Environment Agency · England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Arts and recreation · Driving and motor vehicles · Environment: water +1 more

Water abstraction authorisation (Scotland)

You need an EASR authorisation to abstract water from natural water sources in Scotland

Scottish Government · Scotland

Agriculture: animals · Agriculture: crops and plants · Environment: water +1 more

Water activities authorisations (Scotland)

You must be authorised by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to carry out any controlled water activity, e.g. abstraction or construction work.

Scottish Government · Scotland

Environment: water

Water supply licence (England and Wales)

You need a licence to supply water to non-household premises in England and Wales

Ofwat · England and Wales

Environment: water