Policy information sourced from the Waltham Forest Local Plan

83 Protecting and Enhancing Waterways and River Corridors

Proposals affecting waterways should:

A. Result in no deterioration of Water Framework Directive waterbodies and ensure that all adverse impacts on waterbodies are mitigated and that environmental net benefits are achieved;

B. Obtain an Environmental Permit from the Environment Agency for works in, under, over and adjacent to watercourses; and

C. Ensure the use by freight transport is not inhibited and where possible increased. Buffer zones of at least 8m for main rivers and 5m for ordinary water courses should be established and left free of any permanent structures. Where it is not possible to do so, strong justification should be provided. Where provided, buffer zones should be carefully integrated with new developments, so they do not create dead spaces.