This is sometimes known as ordinary watercourse consent.
You must have permission before you work in, over, under or near any ordinary watercourse.
This can be:
- any river that’s not a main river
- a culvert
- a stream
- a ditch
Check GOV.UK’s guidance to find out if you own a watercourse and your responsibilities.
There’s a different way to apply for permission to do work on a main river, flood defence or sea defence.
Check if you need consent to work on a watercourse
Email us to check at: flood-team@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
You must have consent as set out in the Land Drainage Act 1991.
What happens next
We’ll usually be able to tell you if you need consent when you contact us.
If you do, we’ll send you an application form and guidance document.
You’ll need to pay the £50 fee. You’ll find information about how to pay in the guidance we send you.
How long it takes to get consent
When you’ve paid, we’ll review your application and respond within 4 weeks. We may contact you if we need more information.
We’ll then send you a formal consent letter.