Managing local flood risk at Dorset County Council

Our responsibilities in this area are set out in the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 (opens in a new window) and Flood Risk Regulations 2009 (opens in a new window) . 

Not all of the Act has yet become law but as the LLFA we are already required to develop a strategy to tackle local flood risks, including flooding from surface water, groundwater, 'ordinary watercourses' (for example, ditches, dykes, and streams), canals, lakes and small reservoirs. 

This will be achieved by working with other organisations, such as the  Environment Agency (opens in a new window) (which has a strategic role for all flood risk matters across England and Wales), district councils, highway authorities and water companies. 

The LLFA's for Bournemouth and Poole are the respective Borough Councils.

Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment

The Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment is an initial screening exercise required under the Flood Risk Regulations.

It aims to review historical flooding and future (potential) flood risk and determine Flood Risk Areas in accordance with nationally specified criteria.

A preliminary flood risk assessment (pdf, 3Mb) (opens in a new window)  has been prepared which assesses the local flood risk. Flood risk from main rivers, the sea and large reservoirs is the responsibility of the Environment Agency and is not considered in this report.

Duty to investigate

LLFAs have a duty to investigate and record details of significant flood events within their area. This duty includes identifying which authorities have flood risk management functions with respect to the incident and what they have done or intend to do. LLFAs are required to publish the results of any investigations carried out and notify relevant risk management authorities.

Published flood investigation reports will be shown on this page.

Land drainage consents and enforcement on ordinary watercourses

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 makes changes to the way works on ordinary watercourses are regulated. These changes will come into affect on the 6 April 2012. All temporary and/or permanent works affecting the flow of water in an ordinary watercourse including culverting will require Land Drainage Consent from Dorset County Council as a Lead Local Flood Authority. This is currently carried out by the Environment Agency under the Flood Defence Consent approval process.

Ordinary watercourses include every passage through which water flows and which does not form part of a main river. A map of main rivers can be accessed on the Environment Agency website  Risk of Flooding page (opens in a new window)

Dorset County Council as a LLFA will use a similar application and approval process to the Environment Agency. You can download the Land Drainage Consent application form (pdf, 106kb) (opens in a new window)  and Guidance Notes (pdf, 113kb) (opens in a new window) , if you require further advice please contact Dorset Direct and ask to speak to a member of the Flood Risk Management Team.

Land Drainage Consent does not remove the requirement to obtain Planning Permission, Environmental Permit or Listed Building Consent.

In addition to consenting, the Lead Local Flood Authority will also be given enforcement powers on ordinary watercourses. Enforcement is a last resort, so if you require advice, have a query or wish to raise an incident please call us.

• Name: Dorset Direct (Highways)
  Tel: 01305 221020
  Full details for Dorset Direct (Highways)