TAKE NOTICE that due to the threat of a serious deficiency of supplies of water for compensation flows in Holme Styes Reservoir at Hade Edge, Holmfirth (National Grid Reference: SE 13968 05664) caused by an exceptional shortage of rain, the Environment Agency ("the Agency") is applying to the Secretary of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for a drought order under Section 73 of the Water Resources Act 1991.

The proposed drought order, which is intended to apply for up to 6 months, will allow the Agency to reduce the compensation flows required from Holme Styes Reservoir under Licence Serial No. NE/027/0010/010 (dated 14th April 2020) in a staged manner to a flow of 0.99 Ml/day to the River Ribble during the period of operation of the order.

The order, if granted, would allow the Agency to continue to provide a compensation flow to meet the needs of the respective downstream environments whilst preserving stocks in the reservoirs to support such environmental needs.

Anyone may inspect the proposals, which include a map of the area affected by the order, until 27th July 2022. Inspection is free of charge and available during normal working hours at:-

• Holmfirth Library, 47 Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth, HD9 3JH. (Opening hours; Mon 09:30-19:00, Tue 09:30-13:30, Wed 13:00-17:30, Thu and Fri 09:30-17:30, Sat 10:00-16:00, and Sun 11:00-15:00.)

• Honley Library, West Avenue, Honley, HD9 6HF. (Opening hours; Tue 13:00-18:00, Wed 10:00-13:00, Fri 13:00-17:00, and Sat 10:00-13:00. Closed Mon, Thu, and Sun.)

• Environment Agency, Lateral, 8 City Walk, Leeds, LS11 9AT. By appointment, telephone 0370 8506506.

Objections must be sent to water.resources@defra.gov.uk or:

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, c/o Water Resources Policy, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Seacole 3rd Floor, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF.

Objections should be made immediately and in any event no later than 5pm on 27th July 2022. Objectors may send a copy of their objection to the undersigned.

Dated 20th July 2022

Victoria Slingsby, Environment, Planning & Engagement Manager, Lateral, 8 City Walk, Leeds, LS11 9AT