What is this?

[Underworld345]

So I was planning on improving my front garden with some pretty flowers and shrubs but this is in the area...

What is it? There are pipes connected to it but they are 2-3 ft down.

Am I ok to still do the planting if they are over pipes from the property?

Maybe a soakaway?

Looks like a drainage system. Just don't block these, plant away!

It’s your drain taking sewage and waste water from your house. You need to keep it accessible in case of blockages. I have two of these in my garden. One is under gravel, and the other has a shallow planter plonked on it.

Don't plant something like a tree with roots that could damage it too near.
We have a small manhole connected to drainage in our front lawn, the grass mats over and nearly covers it but is easy enough to remove. In the back there's one on the edge of the lawn which we have a pot on.

Just plant something near it which will bush out or flop over it.