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  • Bank works up to one channel width or 10 metres

Bank works up to one channel width or 10 metres

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This General Binding Rule (GBR) applies to bank works by revetment or bank reprofiling of a river, burn, ditch or loch.

Authorisation level

General Binding Rule (GBR)

Rules

Bank works up to one channel width or 10 metres, whichever is greater, is covered by General Binding Rules. If you intend to carry out this activity, and you comply with the rules set out below, your activity will be authorised. You don’t need to apply to SEPA for an authorisation.

If you carry out an activity under this authorisation you must comply with the rules. It is an offence to if you do not comply with the rules.

If you cannot comply with the rules, you will need a different type of authorisation.

General Binding Rule (GBR) for bank works up to one channel width or 10 metres

  1. All reasonable steps must be taken to ensure that the works do not result in increased erosion of either bank of the river, burn, ditch or loch,

  2. the works must not result in the destabilisation of the bed of the river, burn, ditch or loch upstream or downstream of the works,

  3. vegetation on any bank of the river, burn, ditch or loch may be removed or modified only to the extent that the works cannot reasonably be carried out without such removal or modification,

  4. any vegetation removed must not be disposed of into the river, burn, ditch or loch,

  5. revetments must be constructed from one or more of the following: vegetation, biodegradable geotextiles, wood other than wood treated with preservatives or non-grouted stone rip-rap,

  6. the length of any revetment or bank reprofiling must be no more than 10 metres or one channel width, whichever is greater,

  7. if wood or stone rip-rap is used for a revetment, the wood or rip-rap must only be placed at the toe of the bank,

  8. except for the purpose of repairing an existing revetment, no bank protection works must be undertaken within 5 channel widths or 50 metres (whichever is the greater) of any existing bank protection works on any bank of the river, burn, ditch or loch,

  9. the works must not result in the heightening or lowering of either bank top,

  10. the works must not result in the introduction of any substance or heat to the water environment which may give rise to harm to the water environment.

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