Agricultural Land Tribunals (ALTs) are appointed statutory bodies able to settle disputes regarding, amongst other things, problems relating to drainage where regulators cannot get involved and make orders under the Land Drainage Act 1991 requiring:
- the carrying out of any work in connection with a ditch passing through other land;
- the replacement or construction of such a ditch or
- the alteration or removal of any drainage work in connection with such a ditch where injury has been caused to neighbouring land.
There is currently no fee when making an application to have a dispute settled as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) meets the costs. You will need to meet the costs for travel, expenses and the appointment of any expert witnesses on your behalf, etc. The ALTs are broken into regions; the one covering Essex can be contacted via:
Secretary: Mr A J Collins
Government Buildings (Block 3), DEFRA, Burghill Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS10 6NJ
Telephone Direct Line: 0117 959 8648 Fax: 0117 959 8605
Email: tony.collins@defra.gsi.gov.uk
For further information see:
Defra's website
Land Drainage Act