Private sewers - new consultation process
From 1 October 2011 water companies are gearing themselves up to
adopt all private sewers and as a result, all new public sewers on
newly approved sites constructed after July 2011 will need to be
constructed in accordance with new national standards. (A
private sewer is a drain that takes foul and waste water from two
or more properties.)
Additionally, private lateral drains will also
be adopted by the water companies. (Lateral drains are
private drains that pass over somebody else’s land.) This
means that in essence the only drainage that will remain the
responsibility of the homeowner will be the private drainage, only
serving their property within the boundary of their site.
Following on from this Anglian Water plan to
reduce the number of consultations carried out by Building Control
during the formal building regulation application process in
particular relating to building proposals having a potential to
affect a public sewer or lateral drain.
Previously full plans applications, received
by a local authority, for building works built over or sited within
3 metres of a public sewer had to be the subject of a formal
consultation. From 3 October 2011 Anglian Water intend to introduce
a standard set of criteria against which all build over/near
proposals can be assessed. The criteria will be shortly be
published on the
Anglian Water website and proposals which
comply with ALL of the criteria will receive
automatic approval from Anglian Water.
Consequently where local authorities are
satisfied that ALL of the criteria are met Anglian
water are happy for build over/near situations to be approved
without prior consultation.
The set criteria relate to gravity sewers and
are as follows:
- Sewer less than 3m deep
- Sewer 150mm diameter or smaller
- Built over length 6m or less
- No manholes or access points built over
- Suitable foundation design that ensures no loads are imposed on
the sewer
Where the criteria is not met Peterborough
Building Control will consult and Anglian Water will then assess
the proposals on a case by case basis, granting approval by means
of a build over near agreement where appropriate.
Should you have any further queries on this
matter please contact this office by email to buildingcontrol@peterborough.gov.uk
or by telephone 01733 453422 and we will endeavour to assist.
Alternatively please visit anglianwater.co.uk or
alternatively ring the Great Billing Office on 01604 446688.
Building Regulation Updates - June 2011
During a recent Building Control lunchtime Kevin Dawson, Group
Manager, Construction and Compliance delivered a presentation on
future updates to Building Regulations. A copy of the presentation
is now available.
The Building (Local Authority Charges) Regulations 2010
(SI 2010/404)
Notice is hereby given that Peterborough City Council has made a
scheme under and in accordance with the Building (Local Authority
Charges) Regulations 1998.
The scheme will come into effect on
1 December 2010.
A copy of the scheme may be inspected by any
member of the public during normal working hours at Peterborough
City Council, Stuart House – East Wing, St John’s Street,
Peterborough PE1 5DD.
Kevin Dawson
Group Manager – Construction &
Compliance
Building Control Charges
New legislation has recently been introduced
that allows local authorities to fix their own charges in a scheme
based on the full recovery of their costs, for undertaking their
building control functions on each project. The new legislation is
designed to allow local authorities greater flexibility in
establishing their charges with the aim of providing a fairer and
more accurate system. They also introduce more transparency into
the charge-setting process.
The previous charges regulations had numerous
limitations such as the method of charging for certain building
work that was primarily based around the link to the estimated cost
of the building work. In many cases because the charge was based
upon the estimated cost of the work it had little relevance to the
building control input.
With increased powers to take into account
additional flexibility, a more accurate reflection of costs is now
possible.
Local authorities now have the ability to set
standard charges and to individually determine charges. Standard
charges relate to the type of building work that local authorities
are able to set and publish fair and accurate for. Individually
determined charges are calculated on a scheme-by-scheme basis.
Peterborough City Building Control has been
working in consultation with colleagues from LABC Cambridgeshire to
ensure wherever possible, that the categories we set standard
charges for are consistent throughout the county.
A new guidance note on the charges is now
available
If you have any queries on the new fees or are
in any doubt on what charge applies to your project please
contact us.
New home warranty scheme
The LABC New Home Warranty is a quality service offering
specific competitive products for speculative residential housing,
social housing and self build.
The LABC New Home Warranty scheme has been created in
partnership between LABC, the representative body for Local
Authority Building Control, and MD Insurance Services Limited
(MDIS) the company that administers the scheme which is regulated
by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).
LABC New Home Warranty
This caters for speculative developers and builders covering
conversions, new build and mixed use developments. The product
recognises and rewards quality projects with competitive premiums
and market-leading terms. Service and support is fast and seamless
because of MDIS’s experienced, dedicated customer service team.
LABC Social Housing Warranty
A competitive tailored solution covering shared-ownership,
rented or key worker accommodation projects. Quality is rewarded
with the same advantages given to speculative developers. Cover can
be provided for either a 10 or 12 year period.
LABC Self Build Warranty
Designed specifically for individuals building their own homes -
both new build and conversions – to provide peace of mind. Quality
is rewarded through competitive premiums and excellent service
based on MDIS’s extensive experience of self build projects.
How to get a quotation
Consumer code for home builders
The new Consumer Code for Home Builders will become active for
purchasers of new homes on or after 1 April 2010..
It clarifies the responsibilities and actions required by
developers and warranty providers to improve service and complaint
resolution to customers of new homes. It is the result of the
Barker Review in 2004 and the Office of Fair Trading Study in
2008.
Details of the enhancements to consumer protection are detailed
on the new homes consumer code
website.
Philip Hammond, LABC’s National Business Development Director,
welcomes the new Code. “For years purchasers of new homes have been
unclear about their rights and in some cases they have been
unfairly treated. Local authorities have always been keen to
improve house building quality and to ensure that those who
purchase homes have their dreams fulfilled. This is why LABC offers
the LABC New Home Warranty as a whole package alongside our
building control service. There are many high quality builders and
the vast majority of customers have a good experience. However,
this new code will ensure that everyone has protection and can get
clear information on their rights.
Monitoring performance
We monitor the service we provide to our customers, and this
information is available for you to view here: