Applying for ordinary watercourse consent

Consent must be obtained before any consentable works to the ordinary watercourse begin.

Section 23 of the Land Drainage Act 1991 requires written consent to be obtained from the county council as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) for the area prior to undertaking certain works to an ordinary watercourse. It is an offence to carry out works without the appropriate consent. 

This includes permanent or temporary works and may also include repairs to certain existing structures and maintenance works. For further information, please see the ordinary watercourse regulation guidance (PDF 552 KB).

Any works constructed prior to the formal written consent of the county council are and will remain unconsented in perpetuity and may be subject to enforcement action under Section 24 of the Land Drainage Act 1991 (as amended).  There is no legal provision for consent to be granted retrospectively once the works have begun construction or have been completed.

Even if you have planning permission or other permits you must obtain consent from Lancashire County Council for consentable work to an ordinary watercourse.

For further information about what requires consent and how to apply, please see the ordinary watercourse regulation guidance (PDF 552 KB).