Ordinary Watercourse Regulation: Consents & Enforcement
Under the provisions of the
Land
Drainage Act 1991, as amended by the Flood and
Water Management Act 2010, Bedford Borough Council as the Lead
Local Flood Authority now has a duty to regulate certain activities
that might have an adverse impact on flood risk and the environment
and to ensure that riparian owners carry out their
responsibilities.
What is meant by regulation?
Regulation consists
of two processes:
a) The issuing of consents for any
changes to a watercourses that might obstruct/alter the flow
The consenting process is in place
to ensure that any works carried out in or near a watercourse do
not have a negative effect on nearby properties or the environment.
It also ensures that any works which may affect flood risk are
properly designed.
See more on the consenting process,
when you will need consent and how you can apply for this on
our 'Consenting of Works' page.
b) Taking enforcement action to
rectify any unlawful and potentially damaging work to a
watercourse
In exceptional circumstances,
enforcement action may be required where activities on an ordinary
watercourse have caused adverse effects on flooding and the
local environment. This will depend on the severity of the
obstruction and/or the level of risk associated to the stretch of
watercourse.
See more on how and what the
council enforces on using our 'Enforcement Powers' page.
What watercourses does the council
regulate?
This duty applies to
watercourses which have not been designated as main rivers on
the Environment Agency's flood maps, and which are not within the
Internal Drainage Board's area. These are known as ordinary
watercourses.
See more on the different types of
watercourses in the Borough on our 'What is a
Watercourse' page.
