Heiress Fined £28000 for Excess Water Use on £489 Million Estate

A very wealthy woman’s estate used too much water. Hon Charlotte Townshend owns the Ilchester Estate, located in Dorset, England. She is one of Britain’s richest women. The estate exceeded its water limits during a drought, using water equal to three Olympic pools.

The estate is quite large, encompassing around 15,000 acres. It includes homes, offices, gardens, and farmland. The estate also owns much of Holland Park. From December 2022 to July 2023, the region experienced a drought.

The estate used 60% more water than allowed under their permit. The permit allowed them to take water daily from a spring feeding the River Frome, a rare chalk stream. Most chalk streams are located in the UK.

The Environment Agency investigated the estate and found it used almost 7,500 cubic meters extra. The agency stated the estate ignored warnings, likely harming the river’s ecosystem. The estate had been told in 2018 to get a bigger permit but did not apply for one at that time.

Ilchester Estate must pay fines for the breach, owing almost £19,800 in penalties. Legal costs are around £8,300. An agency officer stated the estate deliberately flouted the rules.

A spokesperson for the estate said they regret the breach. They invested in water infrastructure afterward and now monitor water use every day. The estate focuses on protecting nature.