Ordinary Watercourse consent for Natural Flood Management/Nature Based Solutions
The ordinary watercourse consenting process has previously focused on assessing and understanding the impacts of traditional civil engineering features within watercourses.
This Natural Flood Management (NFM) specific process considers the nature and principles of the NFM approach, the wider considerations of such projects such as biodiversity and the general approach of utilising multiple interlinked elements to achieve a project’s goal.
The approach East Sussex County Council utilises is based on:
- technical guidance published in the CIRIA National Flood Management Manual, 2002,
- consultation with other local consenting authorities, and
- consultation with non-governmental organisations working to install NFM within East Sussex.
Guidance on the approach and how to complete the OWC for NFM application form is set out in our guidance note available to download here: **link to guidance note**
Application Fees
Applications will be charged at £50 per intervention, and the fee will be confirmed as part of an application’s validation process.
Applying for Consent
To apply for ordinary watercourse consent for natural flood management measures please submit a completed OWC for NFM application form alongside all necessary supporting documents to watercourse.consenting@eastsussex.gov.uk .
ESCC OWC For NFM Application Form [240.9 KB] [docx]
Timeline of Applications
Following submission of an application a member of the Flood Risk Management team will review the information submitted and calculate the application fee. A confirmation email, with details on how to pay the fee will then be provided to the applicant.
Please be advised that applicants will have 30-days from receipt of the payment request email to make payment. Non-payment will result in the application being closed and a new application will need to be made should the applicant wish to proceed.
An application will not be considered valid until payment has been made and confirmation of payment received by the Flood Risk Management team.
Applicants are advised that we have 60-days from validation to determine an application. Applying for consent does not guarantee approval.
We aim to provide response to an application as soon as possible and applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. As such, response times will vary, especially during busier periods. We therefore advise applicants to ensure sufficient time is allowed for the application process prior to project start dates as any work prior to consent being granted cannot be consented.