top of page

Information about Works on or near the River

If you are planning work of any kind on the bank or in the river you will need the consent of the Conservators before the project can start. This is a requirement under the 1922 Act, section 15 & 16 and enforceable in law.

Conservators must be informed of ALL proposed work, which could include revetment work; tree felling or maintenance; building maintenance & repairs; creation of slipways; installation of pontoons or landing stages. 

​Before completing the application form:

Works cannot be discussed with applicants until an application has been made and if required, a consideration fee paid.

  • All applications must be completed by or on behalf of the landowner.

  • Ensure you have left enough time in the application process to allow due consideration to take place, a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the proposed start date is advised, though it may take longer.

  • Ensure that you have a complete plan of the proposed work including relevant drawings.

  • Ensure that you have a works Risk Assessment and Method Statement which includes the safety of those using the river.

  • Ensure that you have included a realistic time-frame for the work, if there are major changes, additional fees may be incurred.

  • Consider the impact to the river and its users, in setting up, the duration of the work and the tidy up at the end.

  • Consider your communications process to neighbours and river users, including any commercial companies your work may affect.

  • Consider any events taking place on the river that might be affected, your works may not get consent on your preferred start date if there are previously arranged activities that may be affected. 

  • Ensure that relevant contact details are provided.

  • Ensure that you have obtained all relevant consents from other authorities, including the Environment Agency​​​​

Categorisation of work and application forms
Please be aware that all applications will be assessed by officers who may determine that the works proposed are a different category than that on the completed application form. Applicants will be notified of this during the consideration process and additional fees may be charged. Please be aware that Fees are subject to increase each year.

Notifiable Work

some or all of the following may apply:

  • Work affects up to 25 metres of river bank

  • Work may take up to a week

  • It has minimal impact on the navigation

  • It results in limited physical disturbance of river bed and bank

  • No permanent structure is placed in the river.

​​​​​​​​

​

Fees:

Non-refundable Consideration fee: £371

Complete application form in full - Classified Notifiable​​

NOTE: Administration Fees will be charged for changes to agreement once signed.

Exceptional Work

some or all of the following may apply:

  • Works take longer than 4 weeks

  • It affects more than 70 metres of river bank 

  • It has a significant impact on the navigation

  • It results in considerable physical disturbance of river bed and bank material (potentially controlled disposal and referral to the Environment Agency)

​

Fees:

Non-refundable consideration fee: £647.00

Exceptional Fees will be discussed with Conservators and discussed after the application and nature of the work has been considered.

NOTE: Administration Fees will be charged for changes to agreement once signed.

Major Work

some or all of the following may apply:

  • The works may take more than a week

  • The work may affect 50 - 70 metres of river bank

  • Work may cause some restrictions on the navigation / impact to the navigation

  • It may result in some physical disturbance of the river bed and bank.

​​​

Fees:​

Non-refundable consideration fee: £647.00

Standard Fees - Up to 2 weeks inclusive: £3,884.00 (consideration fees paid will be deducted from the fee)

Fees for each following week: £1,942​

NOTE: Administration Fees will be charged for changes to agreement once signed.

Minor Work:

Less than 10 metres of bank is affected

It has no impact to the navigation

No work takes place from the water

No structure is placed in the water

​

No Fees.

Please notify the Conservancy of the work. ​

Applications for use of Conservancy land are considered separately to those under section 15 & 16 of the Act. Please contact Clerk@camconservators.org.uk in the first instance for an application form. Please note that information similar to that required for the works applications as detailed will be required for any land use application. Please make sure you have this prior to contacting the Conservancy.

21/05/2024 LOCK CLOSURE INFORMATION

​

Due to safety concerns regarding the structural integrity of the lock islands at Baits Bite and Jesus Green, the decision has been taken to temporarily close the locks until further notice. More detailed structural investigations will be undertaken and a plan for remedial works developed urgently. The Conservators are engaging with the Environment Agency and Local Authorities to seek a coordinated approach.

 

Further information: The Conservators of the River Cam are responsible for the navigation (the river) from Mill Pool in Cambridge to Bottisham Lock (Waterbeach) and the locks in between, namely Jesus Green Lock (JGL) in Cambridge and Bait’s Bite Lock (BBL). ​Each lock has an island between the lock chamber and the sluice and weir structures, which it supports. At both Jesus Lock and Baits Bite Lock, the Conservators own the lock and lock island, while the Environment Agency (EA) own and operate the sluice and weir. In addition, the lock islands support footbridges and public right of way in these locations, which are managed by the relevant Local Authorities.​

​

Following observations of cracks in both lock islands, early in 2024 the Conservators of the River Cam commissioned structural surveys.​ The consequent reports identify significant structural fragility in the lock islands and a need for reinforcement work in the short to medium term.​ The Conservators have collectively reviewed the reports and are urgently drawing up a detailed risk assessment, commissioning more detailed surveys, and developing a project plan for remedial works.

bottom of page