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Apply for consent for works on ordinary watercourses
If you are carrying out work that could obstruct the flow in an ordinary watercourse or involves culverting an ordinary watercourse, you will need to get consent from us first.
We ask for consent to make sure that any works do not endanger life or property by increasing the risk of flooding or cause harm to the water environment.
An ordinary watercourse is a small stream or ditch which drains away water.
When you need to get consent
A land drainage (flood defence) consent is required for:
- the erection of or alteration to, any mill, dam, weir or similar obstruction to the flow of any ordinary watercourse or
- the construction of a culvert in any ordinary watercourse or
- the alteration of a culvert in a way that would be likely to affect the flow of an ordinary watercourse or
- temporary works in an ordinary watercourse such as scaffolding, a dam, pumping off excessive water, or any major drainage work
As part of the Ordinary Watercourse Flood Defence Consent application process you will be asked if the works are permanent or temporary.
Permanent works generally refer to a new structure that is proposed, whereas the temporary works relate to the temporary structures that may be within the watercourse as part of the construction phase. (for example, temporary scaffolding, cofferdams, diversion channels, plant/machinery etc).
Consent for temporary works will require detailed method statements to be undertaken outlining precisely how this work will be undertaken.
Read more about your responsibilities and rules to follow for watercourses on or near your property, and permissions you need to do work around them on GOV.UK.
Contact us before applying for consent
Please contact us before you start your application, we may be able to advise you that consent is not required for your planned work, or give you advice that will help avoid unnecessary delays.
You can ring the Local Flood Risk team or email us for an informal discussion.
Telephone: 0300 373 3736
Email: LLFA.consent@cumberland.gov.uk - with a contact number and an officer will ring you back.
How to apply
Before filling in the application, you should read the guidance notes.
Fill in the application form and provide any accompanying information, such as drawings, maps and calculations.
Send your completed application
When you have fully completed your application form please send it and supporting documents to us.
Email: LLFA.consent@cumberland.gov.uk
After you have applied for consent
After receiving your application, you will be sent an invoice, which you can pay online to us.
We have two months to grant or refuse your consent.
You application will be refused if:
- it is incomplete
- the proposed works are considered detrimental to the environment
We have a due regard to the Water Framework Directive as part of the determination process. Therefore, your proposals will be assessed against this legislation.
Ordinary Watercourse consent is given solely on flood risk, sustainability and environmental consideration. The granting of the consent should not be regarded by the applicant as in any way approving the engineering design of the proposed works.
Right to appeal
If you believe that consent has been unreasonably withheld or conditions unreasonably imposed then you have a right to appeal. You can do this by getting in touch with us.