Has anyone had dealings with ASPRO (Network rail)?
We are hoping to renovate our bungalow to build a first floor and do a side extension needing traditional trench foundations, which will end around 25-35m away from the railway boundary (and even further from the rail tracks).
Network rail got in touch while our application waiting for planning approval from the council. They said we will need a BAPA and that is before even asking for further information. They have asked us to fill out an initial enquiry questionnaire which I need to do yet.
After doing a bit of research their main guidance for work 30m away is soakaway drainage needing to be sealed and flowing away from the railway. Any current drainage systems we have flow away from the railway anyway and new work will hook up to this existing system.
Although it is super annoying they have said it may take up to 20 weeks to come to an agreement in order to start work, I am a bit concerned about reading that in addition to paying Network Rail's fees for looking into the enquiry (inc any site visits etc), we also will need to pay 5% of our estimated build costs!
Can someone please enlighten me on this as it could be a hefty chunk of money we have to pay!