By law, nobody has a right to build over, or close to, a public sewer. A minimum distance of three metres (for apparatus up to three metres deep) must be maintained between any building and the public apparatus. This minimum distance may increase for deep or large diameter pipework.

However, we appreciate the desire of homeowners to extend their properties and will, in some cases, depending on the status of the sewer, allow buildings to encroach upon the public system.

Please note, however, that building over, or close to, water mains will never be permitted; neither will building over, or close to, proposed or existing sewers on new developments or redevelopments.

To build over a public sewer it is necessary to complete a Build Over Application form. We would recommend reference to the Build Over Guidance Notes to assist in completing the application.