South West Water's permit applications - update

South West Water need to vary their permits before they can use their upgraded infrastructure in Exmouth. They have sent us their application and we’re checking whether we have everything we need to make a sound decision.

We’ve now sent a third request for further information. Once we’re confident we have the full picture, we’ll open a public consultation so you can have your say on the application.

Shellfish waters and environmental impact

South West Water’s new outfall sits within Sandy Bay shellfish waters and close to Lyme Bay shellfish waters. We’ve asked them for the modelling that shows how their proposals could affect these waters.

This matters. The Lyme Bay mussel beds are nationally significant - they’re the UK’s first fully offshore, rope‑grown mussel farm. The ‘rope to reefs’ project is helping to rebuild a shellfish reef that was nearly destroyed by bottom‑towed fishing gear in the last century. We need clear evidence to understand any risks to this recovering habitat.