Applying for Harbour Works consents
Works within the river require the permission of the Harbour Authority.
The Harbour Authority will evaluate the impact of the proposal on navigational safety and the surrounding environment.
It is important to note that other permissions may also be needed from other authorities for example the Marine Management Organisation, Local Planning Authority, the Environment Agency, the Crown Estate or others.
Full works consent
Full works consent is needed for projects like applications for new structures, extensions to existing structures and capital dredging. The consent is decided by the Board and can take around three or four months to obtain.
Minor or maintenance works consent
Minor or maintenance works consent is needed for projects including like-for-like replacement of piles, minor repairs to a structure, maintenance dredging, and installation of a single private pontoon on a midstream mooring. These proposals don’t need to go through the full application process and instead can be decided by the Harbour Master under his delegated powers. A decision can be made in one to six weeks, and costs less than a full harbour works consent.
Discuss your proposal with the Harbour Master or Environment and Development Manager for advice on whether it falls into this category.
Dredging and development fees
Dredging fees
| Type of dredge | Cost of dredge (all fees plus VAT) |
|---|---|
| Routine maintenance dredging (per dredge campaign) | £191 + VAT |
| Capital dredging - up to and including 500m3 | £560 + VAT |
| Capital dredging - 501m3 to 2,500m3 | £744 + VAT |
| Capital dredging - 2,501m3 to 10,000m3 | £1,391 + VAT |
| Capital dredging - over 10,001m3 | £2,018 + VAT |
Development fees
| Size of development | Cost of development (all fees plus VAT) |
|---|---|
| Maintenance work to structure, or single private mid-stream mooring pontoon | £191 + VAT |
| Renewal of an existing harbour works consent priory to expiry date | £191 + VAT |
| Up to and including 100m2 | £496 + VAT |
| Over 100m2 to 500m2 | £560 + VAT |
| Over 500m2 to 2,500m2 | £744 + VAT |
| Over 2,500m2 to 10,000m2 | £1,391 + VAT |
| Over 10,000m2 | £2,018 + VAT |
A reduced fee for applications that fall within the Harbour Master's delegated powers e.g. maintenance work to structures, single private pontoons – £191 + VAT.
Pre-application consultation fee. Attendance at the Consents Advice Panel meeting and one hour of pre-application consultation will be at no charge - £62 per hour + VAT (for every hour or part thereof, after the first hour).
An additional charge of £60 + VAT is made for each Notice to River Users required in connection with each project.
Private pontoon consent
Installation or replacement of a new private pontoon on a mid-stream mooring needs Harbour Authority permission, but does not need to go through the full Harbour Works Consent application process. It can instead be decided by the Harbour Master under his delegated powers.
For those wishing to install or replace such a pontoon download the guidance pack prior to completing an application form:
Before you apply
The River Hamble Harbour Authority will make their decision based on plans ‘as submitted’, so we recommend that you discuss your proposals with either the Harbour Master or the Harbour Authority before you apply. You’re also welcome to attend a consents advice panel meeting.
How you apply
Submit the following information before the deadline in case minor changes are needed:
- the harbour works consent application form and appropriate fee (see above for the mid-stream pontoon application form)
- any plans (e.g., location plan, ‘existing’ and ‘proposed’ design as plan view and elevation) sent as pdf files. For full harbour works consent applications, one set of hard copies at original scale are also needed. Plans must also show surrounding structures and neighbouring moorings and marinas
- a project description. This should include location (postcode or grid reference), the nature of the project, details of area affected, volumes of any dredge, dimensions of structures, and any changes to the number of moorings
- A method statement and likely dates of work. Please also include a risk assessment and contractor details if known at this stage
- Supporting information. This varies but may include information regarding any impact on navigational safety and the environment (e.g., effects on natural habitats or species, or changes to current/flow patterns) and associated mitigation measures
Application timescales
| Deadline for receipt of full HWC application* | Management Committee meeting | Harbour Board meeting and decision** |
|---|---|---|
| 1 September 2026 | 18 December 2026 | 8 January 2027 |
| 4 December 2026 | 12 March 2027 | 2 April 2027 |
| 5 March 2027 | 11 June 2027 | 2 July 2027 |
| 11 June 2027 | 17 September 2027 | 1 October 2027 |
| 3 September 2027 | 17 December 2027 | 7 January 2028 |
| 3 December 2027 | 10 March 2028 | 31 March 2028 |
* You are advised to submit before this date to ensure documents can be checked and validated prior to the deadline.
** Very complex applications may take longer and need to go before a later Board meeting.
How a full works consent is determined
This process does not apply for minor/maintenance consents.
The application documents submitted are posted on River Hamble Harbour Authority's (RHHA’s) website for public viewing.
One of our officers will then:
- formally consult with Natural England
- notify interested parties that an application has been received and set a deadline for comments
- assess the application and any comments received
- prepare a harbour works consent report
The harbour works consent report and application documents go before the Management Committee:
- the committee makes its recommendation to the Harbour Board
- the applicant/agent may address the Management Committee and/or the Harbour Board meeting in person
The harbour works consent report, application documents and the Management Committee’s recommendation go before the Harbour Board
- the Board then approves or refuses the consent
The Harbour Authority writes formally to the applicant confirming the Harbour Board’s decision and any conditions imposed.
