Land drainage consent - Central Bedfordshire watercourse management

If your work is near or discharges into a watercourse, you may need land drainage consent.

The Environment Agency grants consent for work involving main rivers. In Central Bedfordshire, these rivers include the River Ivel, Hit, Flit, Clipstone Brook, and part of the River Ouzel, all visible on the agency’s interactive maps.

The Bedford Group of Drainage Boards oversees consent for ordinary watercourses—streams, drains, ditches, and other water passages outside main rivers. Contact them at 01234 767995 or email contact@idbs.org.uk.

We recommend contacting these agencies early to confirm if your proposal requires consent. They can advise on application requirements and suggest other organisations you may need to consult.

We may take enforcement action if we find a breach of consent.