Works on the River Cam
LICENSING OF CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE BED AND BANKS
​
The framework for licensing construction activity summarised below defines licenses for different scales of work. These are classed as "Minor", "Notifiable", "Major" and "Exceptional". Once you have identified the category your works fall into, please select, complete and submit the appropriate form, the link to which can be found at the bottom of this page. The property or landowner should complete the application.
​
Minor work: In this case, some or all of the following apply:- the work takes less than two days; it affects less than 10m of bank; it has no impact on the navigation; no bed material within the navigable channel is disturbed that requires disposal. Examples of such work may include installation of mooring rings on, or poles immediately adjacent to, the bank so that a boat can be moored safely.
Such works may fall within the prohibition of Section 16. The Conservators may seek an injunction to prevent a breach of Section 16, but there is no obligation for them to do so.
​
Such an activity will not require a licence and need not be reported to the Conservancy. If there is doubt about whether proposed work would class as “Minor” or “Notifiable”, it would be appropriate to discuss the case with the Clerk. clerk@camconservators.org.uk
​
There is no fee for these works
​
Notifiable work: In this case, some or all of the following apply:- the work takes up to a week; it affects up to 25m of river bank; it has a limited impact on navigation; it results in limited physical disturbance of bed and bank material requiring disposal. An example would be the clearing of sediment and vegetation from a cut to make it capable of docking a boat off the river line, depending on the methods employed.
​
Non refundable consideration fee will be £353
​
​
Major works: In this case, some or all of the following apply:- the work take more than a week; it affects 50-70m of river bank; it involves some restriction of navigation for part of the period of work; it results in some physical disturbance of bed and bank material requiring disposal.
​
The fee for these works will be:
​
£616 Non refundable consideration fee (subtracted from the works fee when paid)
£3696 for up to 2 weeks of work
£1848 for each week thereafter
​
Exceptional works: In this case, some or all of the following apply:- the work takes more than 4 weeks; it affects more than 100m of river bank (in total, potentially on both banks); it necessitates significant restriction of navigation over extended periods; it results in considerable physical disturbance of bed and bank material requiring controlled disposal (and referral to the Environment Agency). The licence fee for such works needs to be agreed by negotiation with the proposer and authorised by Conservators.
​
Non refundable consideration fee is £616
​
The fee for these works will be negotiated.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Forms
​
Please select the relevant forms below.
​
1:Minor (Notification)
​
2:Notifiable
​
3:Major
​
4:Exceptional
​
You may also need to obtain a permit from the Environment Agency - you can check this on their website.
​
​
​
​
​