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Maintenance, replacement or removal of existing engineered structures

Before undertaking maintenance, replacement, or removal, of an existing engineered structure (excluding impoundments) in or in the vicinity of inland surface waters, we recommend you read our guidance to help determine what authorisation you need.

• WAT-G-027 EASR Guidance: Engineering: Maintenance, replacement and removal of existing engineered structures

The authorisation you need will depend on the degree of change to:

• The footprint of the existing structure.
• The activity type.
• Physical character of the watercourse or loch.

Many routine and small-scale maintenance and replacement works can be carried out following good working practices and following general binding rules (GBRs). Other works, such as removal or partial removal of an existing engineered structure, will need to be authorised by a registration or permit.

Maintenance or partial replacement (less than 50%) of existing structure

You do not need to apply for an authorisation if you are carrying out maintenance or replacement of less than 50 percent of an existing structure where all the following criteria are met:

1. Does not increase the footprint of the structure.
2. Remains the same structure type.
3. Does not alter the bank height.
4. Does not alter natural bed level.
5. Does not alter the channel width.

You must comply with the following water general binding rules:

• GBR 7 for the installation and removal of any temporary crossings, structures or works
• GBR 9 for the operation of any vehicle, plant, or other equipment in or near any surface water or wetland

Maintenance or replacement of more than 50% of an existing structure

If you are carrying out maintenance or replacement of 50 percent or more of an existing structure, or you cannot meet all the criteria as listed for maintenance activities authorised by general binding rules, you’ll need to apply for a registration or a permit.

The authorisation you need will depend on the type of structure and scale of work being carried out. Further information on the different authorisations you can apply for is available on the following web pages:

• Bank works.
• Crossings.
• Instream or in-loch structures.
• Engineering in the vicinity, beyond the vicinity or in wetlands.

Removal (or partial removal) of a GBR or registration scale engineered structure

If you are carrying out the removal (or partially removal) of a GBR or registration scale engineered structure, you’ll need to apply for a registration. This registration covers any type of engineered structure.

The registration you need to apply for is:

• Removal of a GBR or registration level engineered structure 

Removal (or partial removal) of permit scale engineered structure

If you are carrying out the removal of any permit scale engineered structure or where the standard conditions of a registration removal activity cannot be complied with, you’ll need to apply for a permit.

The permit you need will depend on the type of structure you are removing. You can apply for the following permits:

• Bank works more than 50m length or any other bank works not described elsewhere.
• All other crossings including Pier bridges, fords, and causeways crossing.
• All other instream or in-loch structures or boulder placement not described elsewhere.
• Engineering in the vicinity, beyond the vicinity or in wetlands.