Can I Build a Fence or Plant Trees Over Utility Pipes?

[MariaD]

Hi all, I’ve bought a site where we plan to build a house, and I’m looking for some advice.

There are utility pipes (water, gas, electricity, and broadband) that run just beneath the site boundary in one area of the site. We’re hoping to install a wall or fence along the boundary, and we’d also love to plant a few trees nearby to soften the landscaping.

Before we move ahead, I wanted to ask if it's possible (or allowed) to build a wall or fence on top of or near these kinds of utility pipes and if there are restrictions on planting trees near them.

Any advice, especially from people who’ve dealt with something similar, would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Conor]

usually, no. You need to dig out the wayleave agreement and see what the conditions are. you can usually plant shallow rooted plans etc, but not build anything hard.

 

 

[MariaD]

Thank you, Conor for the reply. We only have a wayleave for the water main pipe. I know there also a gas pipe, electricity and broadband pipes positioned together in this small area of the site.
The conditions on the wayleave say that the council is free to repair and maintain the pipe and that it is granted the free passing of the water.
 

So, couldn't I place over it a wall boundary?

Edited March 26 by MariaD

[ToughButterCup]

  On 26/03/2025 at 10:54, MariaD said:

...

So, couldn't I place over it a wall boundary?

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Imagine you had the responsibility for maintaining the services under the wall.

 

If the wall incorporated a suitable duct or 'bridge' through which the services pass, then that would enable the ducting to be maintained. They may never ever need maintenance - but that is irrelevant.

On our site, water and electricity pass under a properly specified building foundation in a suitably designed duct (specified by the relevant authority). Ring them or write to them and ask, or get your builder to do so. The Water and Electricity people are keen to help usually - for obvious reasons. 

Edited March 26 by ToughButterCup

[MariaD]

Thanks for suggesting to create a bridge under the wall. I have already contacted the Water people and their map is not accurate. I was lucky that yesterday a tap bursted so all the water flooded out, people came to fix it and I could see the water pipe where it is located along with gas, electricity and broadband.