Winterburn Reservoir – Application for a Drought Order

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

Water Resources Act 1991

Notice of Application for A Drought Order

TAKE NOTICE that due to the threat of a serious deficiency of supply of water for compensation flow in Winterburn Reservoir at Winterburn, Skipton, North Yorkshire (National Grid Reference: SD 94580 60550) caused by an exceptional shortage of rain, the Environment Agency (“the Agency”) is applying to the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for a drought order under Section 73 of the Water Resources Act 1991.

The proposed drought order, which is intended to apply for up to 6 months, will allow the Agency to reduce the compensation flow required from Winterburn Reservoir to the Winterburn Beck under the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Act 1891 (as certified by the nominated Hydraulic Engineer through a notice published on 25th July 1892) in a staged manner from the certified 2,061,763 gallons per day (9.35 megalitres per day (Ml/day)) to 3.41 Ml/day during the period of operation of the order.

The order, if granted, would allow the Agency to continue to provide a compensation flow to meet the environmental needs of the respective downstream watercourses, including the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, whilst preserving stocks in the reservoir to support such environmental needs.

Anyone may inspect the proposals, which include a map of the area affected by the order, until 14 August 2025. Inspection is free of charge and available during normal working hours at:–

• Skipton Library, High Street, Skipton, BD23 1JX. (Opening hours; Mon, Wed and Thu 09:30 - 19:00, Fri 09:30 - 17:00 and Sat 09:30 - 13:30. Closed Tue and Sun.)

• Environment Agency, Lateral, 8 City Walk, Leeds, LS11 9AT. By appointment, telephone 0870 8506506.

Objections must be sent to water.resources@defra.gov.uk or:

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,

c/o Water Resources Policy, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Seacole Ground Floor, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF.

Objections should be made immediately and in any event no later than 5pm on 14 August 2025. Objectors may send a copy of their objection to the undersigned.

Dated 07 August 2025

Mike Dugher, Area Director – Yorkshire, Environment Agency,

Environment Agency, Leeds, LS11 9AT.