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<p>The Environment Agency is legally required to include a time limit on all new abstraction
licences and permanent licence variations.</p><p> </p><p>When the Environment Agency
grants a licence for the first time, the licence duration is usually between 6 and
18 years. On renewal, the normal duration will be 12 years. In exceptional cases licences
may be issued with a longer time limit if the applicant meets four government tests.
Further information can be found in the guidance note WR253 Long duration water abstraction
licences on gov.uk.</p><p> </p><p>The Environment Agency would consider a long duration
licence for a winter storage reservoir providing the applicant can meet the four tests.</p><p>
</p><p>We are working to move the water resources licensing regime into the Environmental
Permitting Regulations. We consulted on the move in Autumn 2021 and are considering
the responses. The consultation included proposals to remove the requirement on the
Environment Agency to issue abstraction permits with a time limit.</p>
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