Local authority planning condition

[Gerald James]

I am about to undertake a self build project. Correspondence from the planning officer states that I have now only one condition yet to discharge (drainage details) before development can commence. They have had drawings prepared by a Chartered Engineer showing the positioning, invert and cover levels of all foul drainage leading to a biodigester (which already has consent) as well as the positioning of all soakaways. Furthermore this is a large plot with no likely problems of accomodating soakaways and I know from many years experience of the land that porocity will not be a problem. On contacting the LA drainage man he has told me that he wants a ground condition certificate and a calculation of the design of the proposed soakaway system to BSE 365. I have contacted the planning officer to tell him that in my view this is over the top and that my building control consultants (I will be using a private company) are also of the same opinion. In fact this should be dealt with under Building Control legislation at the time of constructing the soakaway facilities. I wonder if any of you have had any similar experiences but in the meantime I'd like to congratulate the web site organisers on this marvellous site.

[Gerald James]

I should add to the above post that undertaking the tests as outlined on another part of this site is not a problem nor is designing the soakaway associated with the biodigester as described in the manufacturers literature. They can both be undertaken now with the minimum amount of resources. What is giving me grief is the fact that a) these tests cannot be undertaken at the time of commencing the building and b) that they have to be done to BSE365. I have read BSE365 and undertaking a BSE365 percolation test is not a simple or straightforward matter. Indeed I have had a quote for £1350 + VAT to undertake this work.

[Tony McC]

It's a while since I nodded off to BS 365, but I don't recall the percolation rate test being all that complex. I'll try to remember to dig it out tomorrow and refresh my memory.

[Dave_L]

Bloody pen-pushers with nothing better to do, Gerald. Makes my blood boil.