The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Thu Jul 27, 2006 7:26 pm**

A few years ago I built a conservatory on the back of my property. Before I started I sent a letter to the local council asking if I needed planning permission to which they replied stateing that I did not. During the building of the foundations I discovered that I had to build over a small sewer pipe that takes the waste water from my property and possibly my neighbours. 6" diameter and 1m deep I think and sure to be a private sewer. I studied the forums on the internet and discoverd that I needed to bridge the pipe using lintels which I duely did and continued the build with no problems.
I am now in the early stages of moving house and after reading some nightmare stories I am paranoid that I have done wrong and should not have built. Will the water searches uncover the fact that I have pipework under my conservatory and prevent my sale. Am I right to be worried or will everything be fine. Thanks

Posted: **Sun Aug 06, 2006 5:58 pm**

generally speaking there are no building regulations for conservatories as long as the existing outside door remains in situ.
if the council said it was ok at the time then that is it finished.
i know that now in my area thames water wont let you build over a public sewer, by this it means if it serves you and your neighbour then it is public.
we had this problem recently and had to re-route the sewers in supersleve (at our own cost)
but i have moved a few times and conservatories never get asked for stuff by solicitors apart from maybe FENSA and guarentees
obviously i am not a solicitor but i think your ok
hope this helps
tony

Posted: **Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:38 am**

Currentl doing a similar job for a family member if the sewer is private you are ok to bridge if it is public which our little beauty is then yoou require permission and if you carry out the work you require a written method statement and risk assesment to be sent to your water company who own the pipe's then they give permission for a small fee in our case 256.00 and thats if we change the pipe to plastic if we bridge the existing we have to have a camera survey before and after the work has been carried out at our expense. and yes the survey will bring up the fact you lie on a public sewer and a sharp surveyor will pick this up

regards

matthew
drivewaycompany.co.uk

Posted: **Sun Aug 20, 2006 8:43 am**

Small charge of Â£256!? Glad all I have on my property are my sewer connections and nobody elses!

The Brew Cabin

Existing foundations over private sewer pipe