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Original poster

Neighbour not giving consent to move manhole

19 replies

Bunti · 02/08/2018 09:38

Hi, I currently have 3 bedroom semi detached house with space on the left side (when facing the house) to extend into. I want to build a double storey side extension. Both me and my neighbours currently have a shared manhole on our boundary. I want to build an double storey extension on top of the area where the manhole is and so asked neighbour for permission to move the existing manhole and build a separate manholes for both the neighbour and myself (at no cost to the neighbour at all, I would pay full costs). In the long term having separate manholes would be beneficial for both of us. However neighbour is not giving me consent to do this.

Note planning and building regulations have both been passed. Just the neighbour is not giving consent to move the manhole -citing the brief disturbance that might be caused as the reason for not going for the better longer term solution.

The neighbour is not giving me consent to move the existing manhole and therefore I have no option but to leave around 50cm gap on the side of the extension so there is still access to the manhole. I really do not want to do this, I don't understand why something has was put in places decades ago I now have to suffer for.

This is such a waste of space along the side that I cannot build onto.

Can you please advise what other options I have here? I can't be the first person that's been in this situation. Given we are trying to do what's best long term, the neighbour is being very difficult.

Look forward to hearing back from you asap.
Thanks

OP posts:

JT05 · 02/08/2018 09:54

Is it possible to relocate the manhole to another part of your property, thus not involving neighbour?

LEMtheoriginal · 02/08/2018 10:03

The problem woth that JT05 is that you can only put a manhole cover where the existing pipewok sits very restricted with regards to siting.

I think your best bet is to try and work with your neighbours as lets face it youre stuck with them. Could you maybe offer compensation a bribe for the disturbance? Is it in close proximity to their property? Do you think they might be using it as an excuse to reduce the size so it imposes on them less?

We have one manhole for four properties. Id be obly too pleased if my neighbour offered to place one just for me on my property.

Original poster

Bunti · 02/08/2018 13:11

I've not offered any compensation to them yet, something to consider for sure. It's not that close promizity as they have a garage they use so they have that before their property starts. I really want to work with my neighbour and happy to reach a compromise but they are just not budging unfortunately. So trying to see what else I can do to work around this, cheers

OP posts:

Chickencellar · 02/08/2018 15:00

Is it in the deeds that you share this manhole ? Is it exactly across the boundary , half a cover each ?

Original poster

Bunti · 02/08/2018 16:12

Need to check what the deeds show. It's across the boundary with 60-40 of the cover on my side

OP posts:

loveka · 02/08/2018 16:25

Have you got a Party Wall Agreement in place yet? Your surveyor will probably know your options.

Also, try posting on the Garden Law forum for advice.

SomeKnobend · 02/08/2018 16:31

I'd just put in amended plans and leave 50cm unbuilt on from the boundary. That's not really unreasonable of the neighbour to want when you're having a 2 storey extension, if you try to see it from their point of view. I really doubt they give a shit where the manhole is, much more likely they're refusing the manhole changes as a way to reduce the impact of your extension, as they see it.

Aprilshowersinjuly · 02/08/2018 16:33

Have you spoken to the water authority? They were very knowledgeable about our man holes (person holes?) when we had drain issues (previously one house now 2).

PigletJohn · 02/08/2018 17:26

lift the lid and identify the route of the pipes. This may turn out to be important once you start digging. Make diagrams and photos.

You may not be allowed to build over a shared drain.

fourplusfour · 08/08/2018 10:31

How have you got on with this @Bunti? Interested as we may have a similar issue soon.

Original poster

Bunti · 08/08/2018 12:05

Not had much progress on this fourplusfour

I'm currently away so will need to sit down with neighbour, party wall surveyor and architect to work out next steps.

Most likely will need to do as someknobend said earlier and need to leave a gap on boundary and resubmit ammended plans

What's your current situation?

OP posts:

Didyousaysomethingdarling · 08/08/2018 15:18

Hello Bunti
Amend your building regs to replace the manhole with a 'Y' section then place a rodding eye beyond your extension, so any blockages can be cleared. You'll need to apply for a 'build over agreement' from your local water company (ours was Thames Water). I think it costs about £300-£400. I contacted Thames Water Developer Services, they were super helpful, I emailed them a sketch of the proposed plan for pre-application advice. Then drew up the plans myself to keep costs down!

Didyousaysomethingdarling · 08/08/2018 15:24

P.S. Here's their edited preplanning advice...

You would need to move the manhole at number XX as we do not allow building over a manhole. When removing and relocating an internal manhole, please do not move or divert the public sewer. You should completely remove the manhole and create a new one outside your extension, connecting back on to the main sewer run via a ‘Y’ junction that enters with the flow of the sewer. This can be done with minimal disruption.

Please see the attached drawing, which shows an example of this offset manhole arrangement.

Neighbour not giving consent to move manhole

flummoxedlummox · 08/08/2018 16:29

I knew I'd seen this question before

FWIW I think losing the side access is a bad idea. My parents did this years ago and it was a right pain having to carry lawnmowers, garden waste, bins etc through the house.

Original poster

Bunti · 08/08/2018 17:08

Interesting @didyousaysomethingdarling

I've now been told by the party wall surveyor that the neighbour has said that the drain and manhole is to remain untouched :(

OP posts:

johnd2 · 08/08/2018 18:51

That's what the party wall surveyor is for, they will decide the best solution. The party wall act is an enabling act not a preventing one. Before the neighbour could just say no, now the surveyor can decide although Thames water would have to agree too.
The party wall act also grants access specifically to do the works mentioned in the award.

johnd2 · 08/08/2018 18:52

The only preventing is the neighbour preventing you from saving money on fees

fourplusfour · 09/08/2018 11:17

We're still waiting to get plans from our architect for our extension so really using your post to try to pre-empt any problems.

Everyexitisanentrance · 09/08/2018 21:06

It would be wise to have at least one side access for maintenance purposes - bins, bikes, garden waste etc

You may find it hard to sell if you do not have easy access to rear of property. Is there a garden gate at the rear of the garden?

I doubt this neighbour will allow your tradespeople access to your property via his property.

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