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  1. Welcome to Planning Portal
  2. Do you need permission?
  3. Common projects
  4. Drains and sewers
  5. Planning Permission

Drains and sewers

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  1. Planning Permission
  2. Building Regulations
  3. Build-over CCTV drain surveys
  4. Sustainability
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Planning Permission

You do not usually need to apply for planning permission for repairs, maintenance and very minor works.

Permitted development rights may be available for works that go beyond repair, maintenance, and very minor works. However, you should always check with the local planning authority to confirm that rights have not been removed.

You should clarify ownership and responsibility before modifying or carrying out maintenance. Drains, sewers and manholes may be shared with neighbours or owned by the relevant sewerage undertaker.

Failure to confirm these details or to comply with relevant standards/legislation could lead to legal and remedial action at your own cost.

You can also always contact your local planning authority for further advice. Use our local authority search tool to find their contact details.

Find your local planning authority (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/find-your-local-planning-authority)

Find your local planning authority

Foul Drainage Assessment

If you are required to complete a Foul Drainage Assessment form to support your planning application, you can find the form on the GOV.uk website accessed by using the link below.

FDA1 Foul Drainage Assessment Form1.

Working safely

Find out about working safely in different environments and how you can keep yourself safe. With HSE's 'Getting your job done safely' article

Getting your job done safely.


Find a Trade Professional

Use our partner directories to find a planning or building professional to help with your project or development.

Find a professional (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/find-a-trade-professional)

Find a professional


Useful links

Make an application (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/app/applications)

Make an application

Speak to an expert (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/planning-guidance-service)

Speak to an expert

Studio Charrette consultancy calculator (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/home-improvement/planning-consultancy-calculator)

Studio Charrette consultancy calculator

Sell your site with Land Match (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/commercial-developments/sell-your-site)

Sell your site with Land Match
    1. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foul-drainage-assessment-form-fda1

    Disclaimer

    This is an introductory guide and is not a definitive source of legal information. Guidance is based on national rules, but additional local rules may also affect what permissions are needed. You should check if this is the case before applying or starting work.
    Guidance here relates to the planning regime for England, the policy in Wales may differ. If in doubt contact your local planning authority. Please note, local authorities may charge a fee for pre-application advice.
    Read our full disclaimer.

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        The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2025 Planning Portal.

        The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2025 Planning Portal.