Flood risk management

Flood risk management strategy

The strategy explains the roles and responsibilities of local authorities, partners and communities in the management of flood risk in Leicestershire. 

We are now designated as a Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and hold the lead role in local flood risk management. We are required to develop a local flood risk strategy, which you can read below. Working along with flood risk management partners, we will develop this plan with the aim of reducing the impact of flooding in Leicestershire.

Flood risk management strategy - summary   PDF, 167kbOpens new window

Flood risk management strategy    PDF, 2.1mbOpens new window

Flood risk management action plan     PDF, 180kbOpens new window

Flood risk management strategy appendix    PDF, 1.4mbOpens new window

Regulation of activities on watercourses

Regulation is the management of any activity that creates obstructions to flow in watercourses. This is done to ensure that flood risk is managed.  It involves giving consent for acceptable work to be carried out and taking enforcement action if work is unacceptable. 

Consent to carry out work

To carry out work on, or near to, a watercourse you may need our consent.

We are responsible for granting consent for works on ordinary watercourses. An ordinary watercourse is defined as not being a ‘main river’ and can include streams, ditches, drains etc. other than those that belong to Severn Trent or Anglian Water.

Consent for works on ‘main rivers’ is the responsibility of the Environment Agency.

If you’re unsure what type of watercourse your intended work is on, you can check the main rivers map. If the watercourse is not included on the main river map it is likely to be an ordinary watercourse.

Activities on ordinary watercourses that require consent are those which are likely to cause an obstruction to flow or restrict storage and include culverts, bridges, weirs etc.

Appendix 2 cross-sections    PDF, 27kbOpens new window

LCC Consent Application form    PDF, 106kbOpens new window

Please note there is a charge of £50 for each structure or operation for applications made under the Land Drainage Act.

LCC Consent Application Guidance    PDF, 282kbOpens new window

Enforcement action

When work is carried out without consent, and where we deem that consent would have been needed, works cannot be retrospectively consented.

In these cases we will normally take action to ensure the ordinary watercourse is put back to the condition it was in beforehand. This is very important as work carried out without consent has the potential to increase flood risk to people and property.

Waterside living

A ‘riparian landowner’ is someone who owns land next to a river, stream or ditch. The Environment Agency has produced a guide which explains the responsibilities and rights of waterside living.

Trent Valley Internal Drainage Board

There are areas around Bottesford, Redmile and Harby that fall within the responsibility of the Trent Valley Internal Drainage Board. For specific details of the areas and drainage assets that are involved please contact the board directly, email info@tvidb.co.uk, telephone 01636 704371.

Policy documents

Preliminary flood risk assessment (PFRA) 

The PFRA gives a summary of flood risk in the county. It includes looking at flooding from the following sources:

• surface runoff
• groundwater
• ordinary watercourses

and any interaction these have with main rivers and the sea.

Leicestershire preliminary flood risk assessment    PDF, 4.1mbOpens new window

Surface water management plan

The surface water management plan is used to identify areas where there is a high risk of surface water flooding, which could happen because of heavy rainfall. The plan outlines a preferred strategy for managing the risk of surface water flooding.  

Loughborough surface water management plan    PDF, 3.8mbOpens new window

Flood investigations

To increase our understanding of issues and sources of flooding Leicestershire County Council (acting as Lead Local Flood Authority) has carried out investigations into flooding incidents within the county.  Each investigation includes a summary of the issues found, any actions and potential mitigation for a flood.

Diseworth and Long Whatton Catchment Study - Final Report January 2014    PDF, 673kbOpens new window

Market Harborough Town Centre - Final Report March 2014    PDF, 2.3mbOpens new window

Bardon Road, Coalville - Final Report April 2014    PDF, 3.1mbOpens new window

Cothlestone Avenue, Loughborough - Final Report June 2014    PDF, 2.4mbOpens new window

Mythe Lane, Witherley - Final Report November 2014    PDF, 4.5mbOpens new window

Rugby Close, Market Harborough - Final Report November 2014    PDF, 2.9mbOpens new window

Sheepy Magna, Hinckley and Bosworth - Final Report June 2015    PDF, 2.5mbOpens new window

Main Street, Burton Overy - Final Report August 2015    PDF, 691kbOpens new window

Bath Lane, Moira - Final Report August 2015    PDF, 1.8mbOpens new window

Shenton - Final Report October 2015    PDF, 2.2mbOpens new window

Main Street, Normanton - Final Report October 2015    PDF, 3.7mbOpens new window

Drome / Vercor Close, Coalville - Final Report October 2015    PDF, 2.1mbOpens new window