Hough on the Hill Neighbourhood Plan Review

Comment

Representation ID: 4685

Received: 03/03/2026

Respondent: Witham Third Internal Drainage Board

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Neighbourhood Plan.

Some of the lower parts of the area of interest fall within the Upper Witham Internal Drainage Board’s District and include a number of Board maintained watercourses, plans and/or shape files are available on request. More information about the Board can be found on the website ‘https://witham3idb.gov.uk/upper-witham-internal-drainage-board/ ‘. Most of the existing property has been built on higher ground outside the District although there are several properties on Brandon Road that are within the Board’s District in an area that can be considered at risk of flooding.

It should also be noted that there have been some flooding/ground water issues in the village of Brandon.

The area of interest is situated in an area where the watercourses are unable to accept any increase in the rates of discharge; therefore, any development must prove the existence of a surface water drainage route and provide adequate proposals to make certain that flood risk is not increased elsewhere as a result of any proposed development.

It is suggested that the Neighbourhood Plan should support the idea of sustainable drainage and that any proposed development should be in accordance with National and Regional Flood Risk assessments and Management plans.

No new development should be allowed to be built within flood plain. The ‘Flood Maps’ on the Environment Agency website provides information on areas at risk, information can be found by searching ‘EA flood maps’. The Plan refers to Flood Zones, but no maps are included. Also risk from surface water flooding should also be considered, information can also be found on the Environment Agency website. It can be found by search using ‘EA surface water flood map’

Under the terms of the Land Drainage Act. 1991 and the Board's Byelaws, the prior written consent of the Board is required for any proposed works or structures in, under, over or within 9 metres of the top of the bank of any Board maintained watercourse within the District. For all other riparian watercourses consent is required for any works within a watercourse. This is independent of the Planning Process.

Also, under the provisions of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, and the Land Drainage Act. 1991, the prior written consent of the Lead Local Flood Authority (Lincolnshire County Council) is required for any proposed works or structures in any watercourse outside those designated main rivers and Internal Drainage Districts. In this area the Board acts as Agents for the Lead Local Flood Authority and as such any works, permanent or temporary, in any ditch, dyke or other such watercourse will require consent from the Board. This is independent of the Planning Process.

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It states ‘Watercourses within the parish boundary are therefore likely to be managed by either
Lincolnshire County Council or the Upper Witham Internal Drainage Board.’ This is misleading and implies they are responsible for maintenance. This is NOT the case as most watercourses are riparian and maintenance is the responsibility of the landowner (or adjacent landowner). Lincolnshire CC as the LLFA, Lead Local Flood Authority would be useful to contact for further information and advice.