Garage Conversion Over Public Sewer

ed603em

I am looking to buy a property with a garage - the garage is not a standalone structure, but it does have a sewer running directly under it with waste water from five neighbouring properties running through it. There is a manhole cover on the floor in the garage at present.

I would ideally like to convert the garage into living space, so it would in effect be an additional living room. So, no extension in terms of its size but certainly significant work needed in terms of insulation etc.

Does anyone have any experience of carrying out a project like this? The council have said that full planning permission will be needed, which is fair enough. But I did just want to get a sense of what sorts of conditions would be put in place (presumably there would still need to be access to the manhole), and how much extra the whole planning process was likely to add in terms of cost!

stuart45

The days of having a manhole inside living accommodation are long gone.
You need to talk to the Water company who own it, unless it goes to a septic tank/cess pit.

ed603em

It passes under the garage out to a larger sewer. What would I be asking the water company to do?

fluffymuffy

Either reroute it outside the footprint of the building, at your own expense - if the land is available within your plot. Or relay it, bringing the inspection chamber outside, at your own expense. Both options require Building Regulations approval from the local council and Build-over permission from the water company.
,,,

Albermarle

fluffymuffy said:

Either reroute it outside the footprint of the building, at your own expense - if the land is available within your plot. Or relay it, bringing the inspection chamber outside, at your own expense. Both options require Building Regulations approval from the local council and Build-over permission from the water company.
,,,

As it not just a sewer for the OP's property, then it might be the responsibility of the water company to move it, although presumably they will be a bit reluctant. 
Worth a try anyway.

Doozergirl

Albermarle said:

fluffymuffy said:

Either reroute it outside the footprint of the building, at your own expense - if the land is available within your plot. Or relay it, bringing the inspection chamber outside, at your own expense. Both options require Building Regulations approval from the local council and Build-over permission from the water company.
,,,

As it not just a sewer for the OP's property, then it might be the responsibility of the water company to move it, although presumably they will be a bit reluctant. 
Worth a try anyway.

It might be their responsibilty to maintain/repair it but it definitely isn't to move it.  

That's precisely what. Build Over Agreements are for.  

ed603em

Thanks everyone ... roughly, how much would we be looking at to move it?

Grenage

You'd have to get a price, but I've seen people say that they've paid 9-10k.  That was a few years ago.

35har1old

ed603em said:

Thanks everyone ... roughly, how much would we be looking at to move it?

Is there a current build over agreement in place.
Is it a crockery sewer or plastic?
What's the diameter of the sewer