Homeowners need to check before starting work near flood defences
The Environment Agency is reminding riverside residents in the East Midlands they may need a permit to carry out improvements to their homes.
Riverside homeowners should check whether they need a permit to carry out work
Many people have turned their attention to home improvements during lockdown.
But some may need a flood risk activity permit and should check on GOV.UK.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:
Residents next to a main river could have flood defences near them or in their back gardens.
Works that may require a permit include building structures on or near a raised flood embankment (eg fencing or sheds), works on the river bank (eg repairs or re-profiling) and gardening (eg digging into and/or planting trees) on or near the raised flood embankment and wall.
We really appreciate the continued co-operation of residents to ensure that the flood defences are accessible for our staff at all times, which will help us to maintain them properly.
It’s our priority to do everything we can to protect people from flooding. Homeowners are responsible for gaining permissions and may face enforcement action if they do not.
Further information
We are prioritising our flood recovery work and have £120 million to repair assets damaged in the autumn and winter flooding 2019/20.
We are continuing to deliver all of our flood and coastal risk management projects where it is safe for our teams and delivery partners to do so.
We are following the latest guidance from Public Health England regarding safe working on construction sites.