Conservatories and build over permission

[MrsP]

hello! I've been told I need build over permission before I build a conservatory. There is a 525mm overflow sewer pipe 3m down and 40cm away from the rear elevation of my house. Severn Trent have refused permission.
Does anyone know what the possible consequences may be if I build without build over permission? Is it illegal? Can they make me take it down even if they don't need access ? (how they think they'll get access when it's only 40cm away from the house I don't know!) I don't think I need planning permission as it won't be big enough. Thanks.

[stoneyboy]

MrsP,
Whether you need PP will depend on the size of the conservatory and its relationship to the boundaries of your property.
What you must get is Building Regulations approval - you must talk to your local BR department and see if they can suggest a solution.
With the size of the sewer, its depth and proximity to your house some serious reinforcement work must have been carried out.
end

[rosebery]

Generally utilities are unhappy if you build within 3m of their drains let alone 40cm.

If Severn Trent have already refused permission I think you would be mad to go ahead regardless. Perhaps you need to appeal the decision - get a professional on your team to argue your case for you.

Illegal? Well it won't be a Planning Issue but it will be a Building Regs Issue.

What can they do? Knock a big hole in your conservatory to dig up "their" sewer when they want to I suppose.

Cheers

[MrsP]

Thanks. I will look into the legal team response. Severn Trent have already said they won't be able to get direct access to the sewer from the garden because they will have to dig too close to the house. At 40cm away I would expect the house to fall into the hole they'd dig! Which is why I can't understand why they keep saying no...

[rosebery]

Sounds like they are more concerned that the building work may damage the sewer. Its not a small pipe after all.