Consent is required for all works within 9* metres of the edge of arterial drainage and flood risk management infrastructure (arterial watercourses and water management structures such as pumping stations) in accordance with Byelaw 10**. The Board will determine applications received seeking to undertake works near arterial drainage infrastructure in accordance with the policy below. Maps on the Board’s webpages clearly show which watercourses are designated as Arterial Watercourses. The 9* metre distance is measured from the edge of the drain (whether open or piped). In the case of an embanked drain this is 9* metres from the landward toe of the embankment. Although all cases will be considered on a case by case basis, the following points represents common works and their likely acceptable distance. This list is for guidance only:

• Permanent Structures = 9m* from brink (Open Watercourse) / 9m* from outside edge (Culverted Watercourse)
• Trees = 9m* from brink (Open Watercourse) / 9m* from outside edge (Culverted Watercourse)
• Ground Surfacing = 7m* from brink (Open Watercourse) / 1m* from outside edge (Culverted Watercourse)
• Demountable Fencing = 7m* from brink (Open Watercourse) / 1m* from outside edge (Culverted Watercourse)
• Demountable Structures = 7m* from brink (Open Watercourse) / 3m* from outside edge (Culverted Watercourse)
• Hedging = 7m* from brink (Open Watercourse) / 3m* from outside edge (Culverted Watercourse)

*7 metres within the Waveney, Lower Yare and Lothingland IDD

** Byelaws 10 and 17 for Waveney, Lower Yare and Lothingland IDB

Policy: Works within 9* metres of Arterial Drainage Infrastructure

The Board will only approve applications for consent for works (including replacement works) within 9* metres of arterial drainage infrastructure (as required by Byelaw 10**) if the Board’s officers consider that the proposed works will not increase flood risk, negatively impact on the ability of the Board to carry out its operations (including but not limited to the Board’s usual way of working, current access arrangements, available resources and the risks posed to Board employees, now or in the future) or increase the liabilities of the Board. Permanent Structures (any building which is not demountable, including any extension to a previous structure) are unlikely to be approved within 9* metres of the brink of any arterial drainage infrastructure.