Septic tank / sewage treatment planning and regs conformity

Hi all,
Just joined this site in hope for any information which may help. We have bought a barn for conversion to a dwelling, on the approved plans (full) it is stated that a septic tank must be installed, to the rear of the garden, however we have only just realised that the building regulations, part H I think, states minimum distances required from the building and boundaries.
The septic tank including the soakaway, is well short of these distances.
So do I install it anyway and ignore the building regs stated clearances and risk a punishment and not getting it passed, but say it has been approved on the plans.
Or do I install a sewage treatment plant, which has a much cleaner effluent and can be discharged directly to a ditch?
would I need to apply to do this, planning, control, environment agency?
A lot of these people seem hard work and do not want to or seem to be able to give any helpful advice, a lot of buck passing I sense.
So any information you guys can offer, will of course be thankfully received, I would just like to hear from people like myself (but with more knowledge) before I get embroiled in a red tape massacre at the offices of people who like to hinder progress.

Thanks again, Emily

You would need to satisfy both Planning and Building Control. If the location needs to be amended, then seek permission from your LPA. If they feel the re-location is minor, you could apply under a Non-material amendment. Otherwise, they would ask you to re-submit another formal application. As you have already sought approval, you would have been allocated a case officer so no reason why you can't get in contact with them asking the questions prior to any applications being submitted and monies being paid.

DOHdesigns said:

You would need to satisfy both Planning and Building Control.

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And environment agency as you mentioned, you need a consent to discharge (not sure why DOHdesign ommitted this one).

Septic tanks are not really permitted now, they are packaged sewage treatment plants (PSTP) as per klargester or similar and normally require a power supply.

You will need to underake a percolation test to assess the drainage capability of the ground. You can then size your drainage field to suit.

You may need to upgrade the spec of the PSTP if space is tight so that it treats the water to a higher grade and discharges a cleaner effluence.

Hmm, the designer should have accounted fro the design distances required as set out in the Building Regulations. Speak to building control if there is a relaxation of this standard and how, the chances are someone has dealt with this problem before, its just finding that person! I guess thats what brought you here.

Hope that helps.