Balancing pond on new build estate

krusty101

We’re buying a house on a new build estate which has a couple of balancing (attenuation) ponds. I’m okay with them in principle and understand the reasons behind them but does anyone have experience of the management fees related to these e.g. do they shoot up in a few years when the ponds need de-silting (as suggested in a previous link on the matter below)? And if so, by how much? I’d just like to be prepared. Thanks all. 
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/71572491

dimbo61

I get very nervous about ponds and kids full stop !
Why do they need the ponds ? 
New build estates with 3/4/5 bed houses so young children 
So are the ponds for drainage or to look pretty ?

Doozergirl

dimbo61 said:

I get very nervous about ponds and kids full stop !
Why do they need the ponds ? 
New build estates with 3/4/5 bed houses so young children 
So are the ponds for drainage or to look pretty ?

They're to stop flooding.  Either across the estate or further downstream locally. 

davidmcn

dimbo61 said:

I get very nervous about ponds and kids full stop !
Why do they need the ponds ? 
New build estates with 3/4/5 bed houses so young children

The ones I've seen are quite well fenced off (though I suppose making sure they stay that way is another potential cost).

davidmcn

Doozergirl said:

dimbo61 said:

I get very nervous about ponds and kids full stop !
Why do they need the ponds ? 
New build estates with 3/4/5 bed houses so young children 
So are the ponds for drainage or to look pretty ?

They're to stop flooding.  Either across the estate or further downstream locally. 

Not necessarily "flooding" as we'd commonly call it, but more often to stop the foul sewers from overflowing into water courses when it rains.

krusty101

davidmcn said:

Doozergirl said:

dimbo61 said:

I get very nervous about ponds and kids full stop !
Why do they need the ponds ? 
New build estates with 3/4/5 bed houses so young children 
So are the ponds for drainage or to look pretty ?

They're to stop flooding.  Either across the estate or further downstream locally. 

Not necessarily "flooding" as we'd commonly call it, but more often to stop the foul sewers from overflowing into water courses when it rains.

Yes as you say, water courses. Just wondering about the longer term costs associated with them but maybe they’re a newish thing on new build estates. 

davidmcn

krusty101 said:

davidmcn said:

Doozergirl said:

dimbo61 said:

I get very nervous about ponds and kids full stop !
Why do they need the ponds ? 
New build estates with 3/4/5 bed houses so young children 
So are the ponds for drainage or to look pretty ?

They're to stop flooding.  Either across the estate or further downstream locally. 

Not necessarily "flooding" as we'd commonly call it, but more often to stop the foul sewers from overflowing into water courses when it rains.

Yes as you say, water courses. Just wondering about the longer term costs associated with them but maybe they’re a newish thing on new build estates. 

I don't know, but I haven't heard about the costs being problematic. I'd expect that any maintenance they need would be pretty infrequent - and then shared out amongst the (how many?) properties in the estate.

Unicorn_cottage

What information has the house builder given you about paying for these costs? De-silting a pond can cost thousands.

Grumpy_chap

Sometimes, the ponds are adopted by the statutory sewage undertaker (e.g. United Utilities).  If that applies, or will apply, in your case then the costs fall to the water board.

krusty101

Unicorn_cottage said:

What information has the house builder given you about paying for these costs? De-silting a pond can cost thousands.

Eek really?! There will be 100 properties when the site is finished. I’d better get asking then, thank you. 

getmore4less

Check the planning there should be details of there of the implementation along with any onward plans by water authorities.