Applying for land drainage consent
You will need to have consent from Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Lead Local Flood Authority if you intend to make any alteration to an existing ordinary watercourse (a watercourse which is not classified as main river), and/or your proposal has the potential to impact existing flows.
Any works which has the potential to impact, obstruct, or alter, existing flows within an ordinary watercourse requires consent under the Land Drainage Act 1991, section 23. This includes both permanent and temporary works on an ordinary watercourse.
Your application must demonstrate that the proposed works will not increase flood risk to the surrounding area or harm the environment.
Obtaining consent
Before applying for consent, you will need to determine if the watercourse is an ‘ordinary watercourse' or 'main river'. Please use the following link to identify if the watercourse is a main river; Statutory Main River Map.
- ordinary watercourses - apply to us; or
- For work affecting main rivers, you will need an environmental permit from the Environment Agency.
Before applying, please ensure that your application includes all the information requested within our LLFA consent guidance documents. If the correct details have not been provided, this will delay your application.
Consent is valid for a maximum of one year.
If you are applying for a land drainage consent application, please use the button below to submit your application form and supporting documents to the LLFA. Fees are set at £50.00 per structure and details of how to make a payment will be provided on receipt of your application.
Apply for land drainage consent
Once a land drainage consent application has been submitted and validated, we have a statutory two-month period to determine the consent.
Documents:
Stoke-on-Trent City Council Ordinary Watercourse consent
Stoke-on-Trent City Council Application Ordinary Watercourse consent guidance