How to apply for ground source heating and cooling scheme permissions

Information and resources on how to apply for ground source heating and cooling scheme permissions.

You need a full abstraction licence and bespoke environmental permit for a groundwater discharge for a ground source heating and/or cooling scheme. You can now apply for both licence and permit in the same application form.

You must apply for both licence and permit to ensure that your scheme doesn’t harm the environment. Your licence and permit will include a variety of conditions on:

your use of water, for example the volume you can abstract and discharge
the temperature of discharged water

Applying for a permission

Stage 1: Groundwater Investigation Consent

Before you make a formal application you need to complete our Groundwater Investigation Consent process. Please phone us on 03708 506 506 before you make an application.

During the Groundwater Investigation Consent process we may ask you to provide a hydrogeological impact appraisal to submit with your formal application.

Stage 2: Formal application pack

Part A: Who you are:

Part F Charges, data protection, confidentiality and national security, declaration and application checklist for environmental permit:

Part B8 Ground source heating and cooling scheme licence and permit:

Please post your completed application form to:

Permitting Support Centre
Water Resources Team
Quadrant 2
99 Parkway Avenue
Parkway Business Park
Sheffield
S9 4WF

Need help?

Please contact our National Customer Contact Centre on 03708 506 506. If you have a technical enquiry we may pass you to someone in our area offices.