The River Stour (Kent) Internal Drainage Board (RSIDB) proposes to extend its Internal Drainage District from the existing narrow ribbon district, established in 1938 to reflect areas of greatest flood risk at that time, to align it with the full catchment boundary of the River Stour. This would incorporate upstream areas which drain into the existing district, allowing the RSIDB to play a more effective role in supporting flood risk management and environmental enhancement across the wider catchment.
It is proposed that the extended area will be zero-rated. This means that landowners in the newly included area will not pay Drainage Rates, and existing Ratepayers and District Councils will see no change to their current Drainage Rates or Special Levies. Any future proposal to bring any part of the extended area into rating would require a separate consultation and separate Ministerial approval.
Developer Contributions will be used to fund any works the RSIDB undertakes in the extended area. These are payments collected from developers through the RSIDB’s existing consenting process. No additional costs will fall on existing Ratepayers or District Councils as a result of the extension.
Greater influence over drainage from new development across the whole catchment.
A simpler and more consistent consenting framework for ordinary watercourses.
Improved adaptation to Climate Change through catchment-wide flood risk and drought management.
Reduced duplication between the RSIDB and Kent County Council.
Potential to better align with the new Unitary Authority, following the forthcoming Local Government Reorganisation, and improve cooperation.
Please see the following documents for more information: