The Environment Agency has published details of its proposal to cancel a number of existing abstraction licences for three industrial water users.

Rhodia UK Ltd, now part of advanced materials and specialty chemicals company Solvay, is being asked to give up two licences allowing the firm to abstract a total of 182,000 cubic metres a year respectively at two sites.

The Agency is also proposing to revoke a licence held by Abaris Holdings Ltd, part of luxury furnishings group Walker Greenbank Plc, to abstract a total of 136,383 cubic metres a year and a licence held by farming company Atkinsons (Aberford) Ltd to abstract a total of 54,550 cubic metres a year.

The Environment Agency has given notice of its proposal under section 52 of the Water Resources Act 1991 and regulation 31 of the Water Resources (Abstraction and Impounding) Regulations 2006.

The proposal as part of a programme to help restore sustainable abstraction and to conserve, and secure the proper use of, water resources.