Neighbours extension and manhole

LilMissSunshine

My neighbours have issued a party wall notice as they want to build a rear extension under PD, they want to have the wall on the boundary with foundations also partly on my side. 

Question I have is there is a manhole cover for access to the sewer in my garden, its 15cm from the boundary. Its a public sewer that runs parallel to all the houses so obiously they are moving the drainage in their garden.

Having seen that they want to have a party wall that is straddling the boundary and some of the foundations on side I am wondering how they are allowed to build so close to the manhole if they have to move theirs? Would I be expected to have the manhole in my garden moved which I wouldn't want to do as I just put down new patio 2 months ago.

I contacted the water company but without a reference number of their application they can't provide an advice.

GDB2222

You don’t have to let them put their foundations on your side of the boundary.   Why don’t you discuss these issues with your neighbours. If you don’t answer the PWA notices, the default position is that a PWA surveyor is appointed and he will need to consider the sewer and your new patio. 

Section62

LilMissSunshine said:

My neighbours have issued a party wall notice as they want to build a rear extension under PD, they want to have the wall on the boundary with foundations also partly on my side. 

Question I have is there is a manhole cover for access to the sewer in my garden, its 15cm from the boundary. Its a public sewer that runs parallel to all the houses so obiously they are moving the drainage in their garden.

Having seen that they want to have a party wall that is straddling the boundary and some of the foundations on side I am wondering how they are allowed to build so close to the manhole if they have to move theirs? Would I be expected to have the manhole in my garden moved which I wouldn't want to do as I just put down new patio 2 months ago.

I contacted the water company but without a reference number of their application they can't provide an advice.

I wouldn't bet money on it.  Very common for people to build over sewers and hope nobody notices, especially if there is no (visible) manhole.

Getting them to properly sort the drainage would be a priority for me - if they don't move the sewer now then you'd have a major job on your hands to move it if you decided to extend in the future.

LilMissSunshine

We are not on the best terms after a boundary issue. I definitely was going down the route of no you can do foundations on my side and will be grtting a party wall surveyor. 

They have a manhole in their garden they are moving. I guess I just wasn't sure even if they build up to the boundary, foundations on their side they are still only 15cm from the manhole and the pipe.

Will definitely make sure the drainage is done properly 

millie

They have to pay for your Party wall surveyor so I would appoint your own before the 14 days are up. We are going through a similar problem. The party wall award states that the whole of the building has to be on their land including the foundations. He has been out and taken loads of pictures showing everything as it is now so it can be checked after the work is completed.

twopenny

What reference number do the Water company need?

So much is available on the internet can it be found?

It was a bit of persuasion I needed with my water company to come and tell me what the manholes were on my new property and which were shared. which my responsibility and which theirs.

They did eventually send someone - then 4 more turned up  so I really got confirmation   Seems things weren't logged.

I shouldn't worry about the neighbours getting iffy, just because they are not getting their own way. Be nice and polite but firm.

That man hole if they don't get their change of discharge right means unblocking or whatever will involve people on your land.

And no, have none of the building or foundations on your land. That can lead to further problems for you that a few stern looks from them fade into insignificance.

ThisIsWeird

millie said:

They have to pay for your Party wall surveyor so I would appoint your own before the 14 days are up. We are going through a similar problem. The party wall award states that the whole of the building has to be on their land including the foundations. He has been out and taken loads of pictures showing everything as it is now so it can be checked after the work is completed.

Absolutely.

They have issued you with the PW Notice, LilMS. So, appoint your own surveyor - at their expense. First item on the agenda - the manhole and sewage pipes.

As for the location of the extension wall, I'd be interested in other views on here. I'm assuming your houses are currently detached, LMS (or else how could there be a boundary dispute)?! So, if you allow them to build right up to the boundary - usually not a bad thing - then should you also wish to extend, where would your extension wall go? Right to theirs? In which case you'll no longer be detached. Or, leaving a reasonable gap to maintain the detachedness - in which case theirs should also be - imo.

What do folk think? What happens here?

LilMissSunshine

I'm terraced (mid terrace) they are the semi detached. 

Good points about how the waste is discharged. 

Agree with others no intention of anything being built on my land, they are more than happy to do what they like I'm not opposing the extension just do it within your boundary.

Thames Water wanted their application reference cos they obviously need  thames water permission. 

I guess my concern was even if they build next to the boundary can they even do that only 15mm from a manhole, goggling suggest they have to leave a 500mm gap from a manhole which means they can't even build up to the boundary or I move the manhole. I'm not planning an extension at all.

ThisIsWeird

LilMissSunshine said:

I'm terraced (mid terrace) they are the semi detached. 

Good points about how the waste is discharged. 

Agree with others no intention of anything being built on my land, they are more than happy to do what they like I'm not opposing the extension just do it within your boundary.

Thames Water wanted their application reference cos they obviously need  thames water permission. 

I guess my concern was even if they build next to the boundary can they even do that only 15mm from a manhole, goggling suggest they have to leave a 500mm gap from a manhole which means they can't even build up to the boundary or I move the manhole. I'm not planning an extension at all.

I guess get your PW surveyor to answer all that. 
You are mid terrace, and your neighb is semi? What boundary do you share? 

swingaloo

ThisIsWeird said:

LilMissSunshine said:

I'm terraced (mid terrace) they are the semi detached. 

Good points about how the waste is discharged. 

Agree with others no intention of anything being built on my land, they are more than happy to do what they like I'm not opposing the extension just do it within your boundary.

Thames Water wanted their application reference cos they obviously need  thames water permission. 

I guess my concern was even if they build next to the boundary can they even do that only 15mm from a manhole, goggling suggest they have to leave a 500mm gap from a manhole which means they can't even build up to the boundary or I move the manhole. I'm not planning an extension at all.

I guess get your PW surveyor to answer all that. 
You are mid terrace, and your neighb is semi? What boundary do you share? 

I assume the neighbour is an end terrace rather than a semi.

LilMissSunshine

The boundary in the back garden. 

Yes you are right end terrace is the correct term

I will raise it all with the surveyor