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Other licences and permits

Land drainage consent

You need this consent if you want to

  • make alterations
  • place obstructions (in, over or under)
  • carry out work that will affect the flow of an ordinary watercourse.

An ordinary watercourse is any watercourse that does not form part of a main river. 

Contact us if you have not heard from us after one month of sending in your application, or to discuss failed applications or any other issues.

It is a criminal offence to carry out works without obtaining land drainage consent. It is the responsibility of the landowner to make sure watercourses are maintained.

Where to apply

If the watercourse is part of the main river network you will need to apply for consent from the Environment Agency. 

If it is within the North Somerset Levels Internal Drainage Board area you will need to apply for consent from the Somerset Drainage Boards Consortium.

Legislation

Government legislation website - Section 23 of the Land Drainage Act (1991)

land drainage
01275 884 574
landdrainage@n-somerset.gov.uk