Dykes

How we provide this service

Information on dykes is supported by Housing & Property Service Unit, Property Services.

Links to forms, leaflets and websites providing more information

Guidance Notes on Filling Dykes (PDF, 223KB)

Application to Culvert Form (PDF, 18KB)

Internal Drainage Board Boundaries (PDF, 162KB)

Additional Contacts

South Holland Internal Drainage Board
Kettlewell House
Austin Fields Industrial Estate
Kings Lynn
Norfolk. PE30 1PH

Tel: 01553 669500
Fax: 01553 669550

Email: info@wlma.org.uk

Website: Water Management Alliance

Welland & Deepings Internal Drainage Board
Deeping House
Welland Terrace
Spalding
Lincs. PE11 2TD

Tel: 01775 725861
Fax: 01775 767689

Website: Welland & Deepings Internal Drainage Board

North Level Internal Drainage Board
Drainage Office
Thorney
Peterborough
Cambs. PE6 0QE

Tel: 01733 270333
Fax: 01733 270231

Email Address: nlidb@compuserve.com

Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board
72 Carlton Road
Boston
Lincs. PE21 8PB

Tel: 01205 361061
Fax: 01205 360657

Website Address Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board

Kings Lynn Internal Drainage Board
Kettlewell House
Austin Fields Industrial Estate
Kings Lynn
Norfolk. PE30 1PH

Tel: 0155 669500
Fax: 01553 669550

Email: info@wlma.org.uk

Website: Water Manangement Alliance

Consultees
Environment Agency
Waterside House
Waterside North
Lincoln
Lincs. LN2 5HA

Tel: 01522 785822
Fax: 01522 785823

Website Address: Environment Agency

Lincolnshire County Council
Highways Division
Boston & South Holland
Highways Office
Pode Hole
Spalding
Lincs. PE11 3LN

Tel: 01775 769091
Fax: 01775 762198

Website Address: Lincolnshire County Council

Common Questions

Q. I have a dyke by my property - who owns it?
A. There are numerous possibilities as to the ownership of a specific dyke. On the whole they are generally not conveyed in house deeds, so it may be a surprise to find that you may in fact be partly responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of this watercourse. There are four ways that dyke ownership may go:

1. The dyke may belong to the local internal drainage board. If the dyke is relatively large and is well kept, this may well be the case; however, if you are unsure, consult them.
2. The dyke may belong to your neighbour, ask them to check their deeds.
3. The dyke may belong to you, check your deeds.
4. If the answer is NO to 1 - 3 the dyke may be the joint responsibility between yourself and your neighbour; If the dyke has not been identified as belonging to any party, but is on your boundary, the common law approach is a riparian ownership.

Q. What is a riparian ownership?
A. Riparian means 'of or on riverbank'. In reference to ownership issues, any property boundary, which ends at a dyke and the ownership of the watercourse is undefined. Then the land owner either side will be deemed as a joint or riparian owner. Even if you have a boundary fence or hedge between you and the dyke, you will be seen as having a joint responsibility under common law.

Q. I want to fill a dyke. How do I go about doing this?
A. First of all, DO NOT just go ahead and fill the dyke. This is not only an issue which may cause severe drainage problems, even flooding; but is illegal under both the Public Health Act 1936 and the Land Drainage Act 1991.

You must contact South Holland District Council and the relevant Authorities. See the Additional Contacts and Contact Information entries listed below.

If you wish to fill a dyke, please read Guidance Notes on Filling Dykes (PDF, 223KB).

If you still want to proceed with an application either:
1. contact South Holland District Council to speak to an officer, who will help you;
2. or download and fill in the Application to Culvert Form (PDF, 18KB) and carefully reading the instructions and then returning it to us.

Q. I am only creating an access to the road, do I need to fill in an application form on such a small section?
A. Yes, under the Public Health Act 1936, this is still an alteration being made to a watercourse and may affect the flow of the dyke.
Remember, if you are creating a new access, you must also get Planning Permission to do so.

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Contact Details

If you have any queries about the information provided above, or require further information, please contact Customer Services on 01775 761161 or email info@sholland.gov.uk.

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