Licences and permits

The permissions a business needs before it can trade, each one tied to the law that creates it and to the body that issues it. We point at GOV.UK for fees and forms, and never copy them.

8 of 426 licences in England for Environment: water

Choose from all 48 activities

A

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

F

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

G

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

I

Impound water (England)

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

Environment Agency · England

Any trade

O

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

U

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

W

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

1 licence on this list has no national enabling statute behind it. The regime is council byelaws or a local Act, or a statute that reaches only part of the area, and those pages say so plainly rather than citing something that does not apply to you.

Checking approvals more broadly?

A licence is one of several things you may need before your first day of trading. The pre-trading quick check walks the registrations, insurances and approvals alongside it.

Run the pre-trading quick check

Not sure which of these apply to you?

Our guides on finding a licence and dealing with your local council walk through the questions that decide it.

Find a licence