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Written question asked by Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 19 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 June 2026. It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Thursday, 25 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Water Abstraction: Hampshire

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure water supplies for (a) residents and (b) local businesses in North East Hampshire constituency following the end of abstraction from Greywell Fen.

Answer

A water supply deficit exists in part of South East Water’s Water Resource Zone 4, which includes a large portion of the North East Hampshire Constituency. This means there is a higher risk of supply interruptions for customers in drought conditions.

Use of the Greywell abstraction does not fully address this deficit, but for the duration of the Greywell licence decision appeal process South East Water are permitted to continue abstracting under the terms of their previous licence, until a decision has been made by a Planning Inspector. The Environment Agency is working closely with South East Water, Natural England, and Local Planning Authorities, to appraise options to ensure water supply security.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
11524
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Hampshire Sites of special scientific interest Water abstraction
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk