Complete the County of Avon Act application form

The County of Avon Act 1982 gives us the power to protect Bath's natural thermal springs against damage from excavation, piling operations or boreholes. Use this page to read Section 33 of the Act, and apply for consent to conduct works.

The County of Avon Act 1982 - Section 33

Section 33 of the County of Avon Act 1982 covers the protection of Bath's Hot Springs and applies to:

• the opening, digging, sinking or deepening of any pit or well
• the opening or working of any mine or quarry
• the making or any excavation or opening by drilling or other means

You can read the County of Avon Act 1982 in full on the GOV.UK website.

View a map of protected areas

You can find out which areas are protected by the County of Avon Act 1982 by viewing our online map.

The areas of protection form three zones, known as zone A, B, and C. Zone A is the most central to the Hot Springs, followed by B then C. You can choose to view individual zones on the online map by using the selectable key on the left hand side of the web page.

If you wish to excavate in protected areas

The depth of your planned excavation will dictate whether or not you need to apply for our consent.

Zone A: You must apply for our consent for any excavation exceeding 5m below the surface of the natural ground.

Zone B: You must apply for our consent for any excavation exceeding 15m below the surface of the natural ground

Zone C: You must apply for our consent for any excavation exceeding 50m below the surface of the natural ground

WarningPlease note that any Council Officer authorised under the County of Avon Act can enter land to examine and inspect any works that are thought to pose risk for the hot springs, including excavations, mining, borehole drilling and any form of below-ground-level activity.

Apply for consent

You can apply for consent by downloading, completing, and returning our application form.

All applications must be supported by a plan including:

• the exact location of the planned excavations, boreholes or piles
• a detailed method statement and a risk assessment demonstrating how any unintentional release of artesian or sub-artesian ground water will be identified, controlled, and permanently sealed

What happens next

When we receive your application we consult with a consultant geologist and the Environment Agency. Collectively, if it is decided that the operation is likely to cause injury or affect the natural hot springs in any way, we can refuse the application for consent.

In the case of a disagreement between the council and an applicant, both parties will decide on a suitably qualified geologist who will be consulted on the operation. In the case of a dispute, the consulted geologist will be appointed by the President of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

If the hot springs are damaged during planned works

If any damage occurs to the hot springs during planned works, or there is deemed to be a potential threat to the hot springs, we are able to apply to the Magistrates' Court to halt an operation.