Engineering in the vicinity, beyond the vicinity and affecting wetlands

Table of contents

Select a section to jump to:

Authorisation level
Public consultation
Fit and Proper Person tests
Permit conditions
Fees and charges
How to apply
Help and guidance

This activity applies to engineering in the vicinity and beyond the vicinity of watercourses and lochs, and engineering affecting wetlands. This includes:

Set back embankments and floodwalls
Land raising/land lowering
Activities which significantly adversely impact a wetland

Authorisation level

Permit

Public consultation

We may publicly consult on applications that, due to their nature or location, have higher likelihood of environmental impact and community impact.

Fit and Proper Person tests

Fit and Proper Person tests apply to this activity. You will be asked in your application if you have any relevant convictions held by you or any additional persons.

Permit conditions

Permits may contain both standard conditions and conditions specific to the activity and location. The conditions of your permit will be decided when we assess your application. This is to ensure that the appropriate limits and controls are in place to minimise pollution and protect the environment.

If you carry out an activity under a Permit authorisation you must comply with the conditions set out in your authorisation. It is an offence if you do not comply with the conditions.

SEPA will not authorise this activity if it poses an unacceptable risk to the environment.

Fees and charges

An application fee applies to the application for a new authorisation for this activity.

An annual activity fee does not normally apply to this activity. An annual activity fee will only apply to those activities subject to time and materials charging as part of a ‘large and complex’ project. Read our charging information for further information on annual activity fees.

Information on the application fees to transfer, vary or surrender a registration that authorises this activity, is in our charging information.

How to apply

In this section you can find out how to apply for a new authorisation, and how to apply for a variation, transfer and surrender of an existing authorisation.

New applications

You can apply for a new permit for this activity using our digital application service.

If you are applying for new permit, we would encourage you to contact us with any pre-application enquiries before submitting your application.

Step 1: Download your activity form

You’ll need to download and complete the following activity form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:

P-WAT-L7: Engineering in the vicinity, beyond the vicinity and affecting wetlands

Step 2: Provide supporting information

Non-technical summary of your application
Drawings of the structure
Report assessing risk to fish (if required)
Details of whether the activity may impact on SSSIs, SACs and SPAs
Reasons for carrying out the activity
Photographs of the area where the activity is to be carried out
Options appraisal
Selected option
Proposed mitigation of environmental impacts

Step 3: Submit using our digital application service

You can submit your completed application using our digital application service.

Make an application for a new authorisation

You can apply to vary an existing permit for this activity.

Step 1: Download your variation form

You will need to download and complete the following variation form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:

P-WAT-V: Water permit variation form

Step 2: Submit your application for a variation

Make an application to vary an authorisation

You can apply to transfer an existing permit for this activity.

Step 1: Download your transfer form

You will need to download and complete the following transfer form. The completed form will be submitted as part of your application:

P-WAT-T – Water Permit Transfer Form

Step 2: Submit your application

Read transfer an existing authorisation to find out how to submit your application for a transfer.

To apply to surrender an existing permit that authorises this activity, read Surrender an authorisation.