In a contentious development in rural Wiltshire, billionaire Stephen Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone, has been barred from transporting water to his Conholt Park estate due to a local hosepipe ban. The issue stems from Schwarzman’s efforts to fill a newly constructed lake on his 2,500-acre property, which has drawn ire from residents in neighboring Hampshire, where water restrictions are in place due to severe drought conditions. Southern Water, the regional supplier, has intervened, prohibiting tanker companies from delivering water to the estate. This dispute highlights tensions between private wealth, environmental responsibility, and community needs during a time of water scarcity.
The Conholt Park Project and Local Outrage
Stephen Schwarzman, with a net worth estimated at over £30 billion, acquired Conholt Park in 2022 for approximately £82 million. The 17th-century estate, sprawling across 2,500 acres near the Hampshire border, is undergoing an ambitious renovation. A key feature of the project is a three-acre lake, designed to hold nine million gallons of water. While the construction was approved by local authorities, the project has sparked significant backlash due to the methods used to source water during a regional drought.
Residents in Hampshire, where a hosepipe ban has been in effect since July 21, 2025, noticed up to 30 water tankers per day traveling to Conholt Park. These tankers were observed filling up at standpipes in Hampshire, exploiting a legal exemption that allows water use for non-domestic purposes, such as construction, despite the ban on domestic activities like garden watering. The sight of tankers ferrying water to a private estate while locals faced strict restrictions fueled anger.
Sheep farmer Robin Catton called the situation “unfair,” while resident Trevor Marshall described it as “incredibly outrageous,” noting the contrast between Schwarzman’s water usage and the region’s driest spring in decades. Southern Water responded to public complaints by banning tanker companies from extracting water from its standpipes for delivery to Conholt Park.
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Tim McMahon, a director at Southern Water, confirmed that the company is engaging with the estate’s management to address concerns. Schwarzman’s representatives have defended their actions, stating that the water was sourced legally through licensed providers and that only 8 to 9 percent of it was used for the lake, with the majority supporting construction and irrigation needs. Despite these assurances, the optics of a billionaire transporting vast quantities of water during a drought have deepened local resentment.
Environmental and Social Tensions
The controversy at Conholt Park underscores broader issues of environmental sustainability and social equity. England is currently facing its driest start to a year since 1976, with reservoir levels at historic lows. The Environment Agency has warned that drought conditions may persist into the autumn, prompting water companies across southern England to impose hosepipe bans. In Hampshire, residents are prohibited from using hosepipes for domestic purposes, making the sight of tankers delivering water to a private estate particularly galling.
The legal loophole allowing non-domestic water use during a hosepipe ban has come under intense scrutiny. While Schwarzman’s estate complied with existing regulations, the situation has exposed gaps in water management policies. Southern Water has applied for a drought order to further restrict non-essential water uses, such as filling lakes or cleaning commercial properties. The company also plans to enhance monitoring of standpipe usage to prevent similar issues in the future.
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For locals, the dispute is not just about water but about fairness. As one resident noted, “Water is a finite resource, and it feels like the rules don’t apply to everyone equally.” The social dimension of the controversy is amplified by Schwarzman’s high profile. As a prominent financier and supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, his plans to host Trump at Conholt Park during an upcoming UK visit have added a political layer to the dispute.
Neighboring farmers, reliant on groundwater for their livelihoods, have raised concerns about the potential impact of large-scale water extraction on local aquifers. These tensions highlight the delicate balance between private development and community well-being, particularly in rural areas where resources are shared.
Schwarzman’s Response and Future Implications
Schwarzman’s team has sought to defuse the controversy, emphasizing their commitment to restoring Conholt Park as a historic landmark. A spokesperson for the estate stated that all water was acquired through licensed providers and that the renovations, including the lake, aim to enhance the property’s heritage value. They highlighted additional efforts, such as tree planting and upgrades to facilities like the stables, as part of a broader vision to preserve the estate for future generations. The spokesperson also clarified that the majority of the transported water was used for construction purposes, not solely for the lake.
However, these explanations have done little to calm local frustrations. Residents like Trevor Marshall have meticulously documented the movement of tankers, while a neighboring estate has formally requested assurances that groundwater is not being abstracted to fill the lake. The lake’s completion in early March 2025, despite months of dry weather, has only heightened suspicions about the water’s source. Southern Water’s ban on tanker deliveries may force Schwarzman to seek alternative solutions or pause parts of the renovation, potentially delaying the project.
The dispute has broader implications for water management in the UK. Alongside Southern Water, companies like Thames Water and South East Water have imposed hosepipe bans across southern England, affecting millions of customers. Thames Water’s ban, covering Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Wiltshire, began on July 22, 2025, while South East Water introduced restrictions in Kent and Sussex on July 11. These measures reflect the severity of the ongoing drought, with reservoirs at their lowest levels on record. The Schwarzman controversy has become a focal point for public frustration with water scarcity and perceived inequalities in resource access.
Looking forward, the ban on water deliveries to Conholt Park could prompt tighter regulations on non-domestic water use during droughts. It may also encourage greater public oversight of large-scale private projects, particularly those involving significant resource consumption. For Schwarzman, the dispute poses a reputational challenge in the UK, where his acquisition of Conholt Park was initially seen as an economic boost but is now viewed by some as emblematic of excess. The outcome of this controversy could influence how similar projects are managed in the future, as communities demand greater accountability from wealthy landowners.
In conclusion, the clash over Stephen Schwarzman’s water usage at Conholt Park encapsulates the challenges of balancing private ambition with public resource constraints. While the estate’s actions were legally permissible, the public backlash and Southern Water’s intervention highlight the need for more equitable water management policies. As drought conditions persist across the UK, the tension between individual projects and collective needs will likely intensify, pushing policymakers to address gaps in regulations. For now, Schwarzman’s vision for Conholt Park remains under scrutiny, with locals and authorities watching closely to see how the billionaire navigates this high-profile setback.