Build over agreement

[Dan_1321]

Hi,
I would really appreciate your advice on our nightmare of situation with Severn Trent.
We submitted our extension plans and got approval from the council, we then submitted a build over agreement (as we are building over the public sewer pipe in our back garden).

We received a provisional approval subject to a CCTV inspection after the work is completed - so far no problems.

The old inspection chamber (which is currently under our new extension) was covered with a steel cover and then with over 20cm of concrete/hardcore (the floor of our extension).

After the work is completed, we've arranged for a CCTV inspection, it showed the pipe is not damaged and everything is ok.

ST, however, refused our build over agreement, stating that the old inspection chamber must be removed and the pipe needs replacing with a sealed one (we did not know that we can touch their pipe!!).

We can't think of a solution that doesn't involve digging our from inside the house!
Thank you!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Surely you had to submit drawings to support the application? Which they approved?

 

[Dan_1321]

We did send them plans, and yes they approved it. but they are saying the pipe needs replacing with a sealed one, which is not on the plans

 

[^woody^]

ST are normally quite good and helpful.

You are not supposed to start work, nor building control let you start work unless the application is approved. If it is approved, have you conformed to the approved plan and any conditions stipulated as part of the conditional approval? If so then you have potentially conformed to the agreement.

Potentially, somewhere in law or standards there may be something stating that you can't seal over a redundant manhole. But if that is the case, you would require ST to provide you with the specific regulation or standard they are are relying on to make you do what they are asking.