You might need permission to carry out work on or near a river, stream, flood defence or other watercourse.
Main rivers and flood defences
If you want to work on a main river (map) Go to https://environment.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=17cd53dfc524433980cc333726a56386 (opens new window) or flood defence you must follow the environmental permitting rules on GOV.UK Go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/flood-risk-activities-environmental-permits (opens new window).
Work within the Lower Severn Internal Drainage District
The Lower Severn Internal Drainage District Go to https://lowersevernidb.org.uk/development/map/ (opens new window) covers a large area of land at Avonmouth. In this area, you must get permission to:
- discharge surface water
- block or change the flow of a watercourse
- do any construction in, over, under or within eight metres of a watercourse
Other watercourses
You must apply for Ordinary Watercourse Consent for work:
- on or near all other watercourses that changes the flow or storage of water
- on a new water channel or tunnel (culvert)
Ordinary watercourses include streams, ditches, drains and culverts, anywhere water flows that isnt part of a main river.
Apply for Ordinary Watercourse Consent
Download and fill in the
document
watercourse application form
(92 KB)
. Return it by email to flood.data@bristol.gov.uk. You can also use this email address if you have any questions.
Well get back to you within two months to let you know if you have our consent for the work.
We might refuse your application if the change to the watercourse could increase the risk of flooding or if we need more information from you. Read the pdf guidance notes (159 KB) , before completing the form.
If you carry out work without consent
Carrying out work without consent could be a criminal offence. You could be fined up to £5,000 if convicted and then fined a further £40 a day until you put the watercourse back to its original condition.
Watercourse maintenance
If youre a landowner, its your responsibility to maintain watercourses on your land so that they dont increase the risk of flooding.
Find out about your responsibilities as a riverside property owner Go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/river-maintenance-and-drainage-charges-farmers-and-landowners (opens new window) on GOV.UK.