Consultation outcome: Bathing waters: designation of Manor Steps beach, Bournemouth

Updated: Updated with the summary of responses and the decision to designate this beach as a bathing water.

We want to know what you think about a proposal to designate Manor Steps beach, Bournemouth, as a bathing water under the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC). This proposal follows an application we have received from Bournemouth Borough Council.

We have published evidence of facilities and usage at the site. You can also read the criteria for designation and de-designation of bathing waters.

This consultation will be of interest to the recreation sector, leisure and tourism industries, beach users, environmental campaigners and families.



Consultation outcome: Bathing waters: designating 8 beaches in Cornwall

Updated: Summary of responses added and decision made to designate the 8 beaches (Booby’s Bay, Fistral South, Godrevy Towans, Gwynver, Mexico Towans, Northcott Mouth, Tregonhawke, Upton Towans) as bathing waters.

We want to know what you think about a proposal to designate eight beaches in Cornwall as bathing waters under the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC). This follows an application we have received from Cornwall Council. The beaches being considered are:

  • Booby’s Bay, near St Merryn
  • Godrevy, The Towans, Hayle
  • Gwynver, Whitesand Bay
  • Northcott Mouth, near Bude
  • South Fistral, Newquay
  • Mexico Towan, Hayle
  • Tregonhawke, Whitsand Bay
  • Upton Towan, Hayle

We have published evidence of facilities and usage at each site. You can also read the criteria for designation and de-designation of bathing waters.

This consultation will be of interest to the recreation sector, leisure and tourism industries, beach users, environmental campaigners and families.



Consultation outcome: Water industry: strategic policy statement to Ofwat 2017

Updated: Summary of responses added.

We want to know your views on the new strategic policy statement (SPS) to the Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat).

This document sets out the government’s strategic priorities for Ofwat’s regulation of the water sector in England.

It will replace the previous SPS that was issued to Ofwat in 2013.



Guidance: Groundwater activity exclusions from environmental permits

Updated: Changes to ‘Very minor discharges exclusion – also called de minimis’ (section 2) to explain that you need to assess whether a ‘class of case’ exclusion applies.

Use this publication to find out about groundwater activity exclusions for:

  • accidents and natural causes
  • very minor discharges – also called ‘de minimis’
  • risks to human health or the environment
  • disproportionate cost for land contamination


Guidance: Groundwater activity exclusions from environmental permits

Updated: Added a new de minimis exclusion (section 2.7). It explains when you can discharge groundwater that meets drinking water quality standards onto ground.

Use this publication to find out about groundwater activity exclusions for:

  • accidents and natural causes
  • very minor discharges – also called ‘de minimis’
  • risks to human health or the environment
  • disproportionate cost for land contamination