Hi all.
We were in the middle of a fairly straightforward single story, side extension to our house.
Planning permission passed with no issues. Neighbours happy.
We are doing it on a 'building notice' as DP's best friend is an architect and helping us (as a favour).
This was all progressing nicely, and building inspectors were happy until we realised that a drain / manhole that we want to build over is a shared drain with our neighbour. Our neighbours' runs into the drain we want to build over.
The issue we have discovered is that where we live, a shared drain automatically belongs to the water company, and to neither myself or my neighbour.
The building inspector has raised this as a potential issue and we have halted building and filled out the relevant application form (a 'build-over application form) to the water company along with the rather eye-watering fee of £790.
We now have to wait - they have a 20 day window in which to respond. I believe they will want to inspect the drain / pipes in question using CCTV to ascertain that they are in good order before they HOPEFULLY give us permission to build over and replace the manhole for an air tight one (as it will be located within the new room.)
Has anyone had any experience of this? And any advice? Although my architect and my builder have seen plenty of other projects where a manhole has been built over and incorporated into a room (with a special sealed manhole cover) I am concerned that the water board could refuse permission, so am trying to plan for 'what if...'.
Many thanks.
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Property/DIY
Extension - Shared drain / manhole / water board issues
6 replies
TwattyvonTwatofTwatsville · 13/11/2017 09:47
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