Build over or near sewer

[flux capacitor]

Hi All,

Im currently trying to do my own plans for an extension to hopefully get planning permission.

So I need to build over 2 manholes - I think the first step is to contact thames water to see if they will let me shift the manholes. There's an online application form to fill at a cost of £299.

I ordered an asset location search first for £58! to help me map out the drains.

Some drains were on there, I guess these are the important ones, that if I'm building near them or over them I have to contact thames water.

So I have drawn the current setup and the new setup of the drains, new extension etc. -

but yesterday I took a good look at the asset location maps they sent me: it has a key, the blue drains that pass through my garden (which if I have understood things right is used by my neighbours and me) are 'other sewer types NOT OPERATED OR MAINTAINED BY THAMES WATER'.

But if it not OPERATED or MAINTAINED by thames water do I still need their permission to move them or someone else's? Do I still go ahead with the application to build over?

Thanks

 

[^woody^]

ut if it not OPERATED or MAINTAINED by thames water do I still need their permission

No.

You need to find out who owns the drains and check whatever covenant or wayleave is in place for their right to cross your land and see what restictions if any exist.

 

[flux capacitor]

whatever covenant or wayleave is in place for their right to cross your land and see what restictions if any exist.

Thank you very much for the reply woody - that would have been a waste of £299 - bet they would not have refunded.

What's the easiest cheapest way to find out?

 

[^woody^]

Check your house deeds.

Find out where these drains go to and who is using them.

You need clarify the water company's plan and key though, as in 2011 ownerhip of almost all drains and sewers passed to the water companies. The only drains that did not, were the last section of pipes (typically used by one house only) and not shared use.

It would be unusual for a private drain of single use (say, by a neighbour) to be crossing another property.

 

[flux capacitor]

Pipes 1 and 2 are mine, the other 2 come from next door.

 

[flux capacitor]

the manhole is right up against the fence, so the other 2 pipes must come from next door.

 

[flux capacitor]

my house in pink

 

[flux capacitor]

the pipes in blue on their map connect about 10m down the garden. the 2 pipes coming from next door connect about 4m down my garden.

 

[flux capacitor]

the red pipes are for thames water

 

[flux capacitor]

Check your house deeds.

Find out where these drains go to and who is using them.

You need clarify the water company's plan and key though, as in 2011 ownerhip of almost all drains and sewers passed to the water companies. The only drains that did not, were the last section of pipes (typically used by one house only) and not shared use.

It would be unusual for a private drain of single use (say, by a neighbour) to be crossing another property.

Or could the blue pipes actually be for thames water now but they never updated their map?

 

[^woody^]

I would expect the drain represented by the blue line running along the back of the houses to be the responsibility of the water company, and the off-shoots from this to the houses to be the responsibility of the home-owner.

Clarify it with the water company.

 

[Ian H]

Woodys right, from the manhole down is theirs, from the manhole up are the private bits for yourself and your neighbour.

 

[flux capacitor]

Woodys right, dmfrom the manhole down is their, from the manhole up are the private bits for yourself and your neighbour.

Thanks for the replys woody and Ian.

I take it I can mess with my private bits and not tell anyone? Or will I go blind?

Also, when building over a manhole from what I have understood, it's a big no no to leave it as a functioning manhole on the inside of your new extension (even if double sealed). You must replace channelled pipes with normal ones and create a new manhole outside - but what about a bottle drain (110mm)? The new extension will be a kitchen, so the bottle drain that was outside, which will now be inside could easily be used again. Or is there a chance if the drains ever back up it can come through this?

 

[Ian H]

You might get a hairy palm and your wife won't talk to you for a couple of days

You mean the kitchen gully? I'd rather have a manhole inside rather than a gully.

 

[garyo]

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