Access width?

[jumbletons]

Property with limited access, needs to install a 15-16p STP. 

 

Wants a Biodisc, which is 2.5m wide. Marsh is 2m, Harlequin 1.6m. 

 

Apart from choosing a narrow STP, what else can be done to allow installation with limited access?

 

Smaller machinery for digging and moving the STP into place? The site is behind a shrubbery/trees (yes, I know, not ideal, but it's not mine...) - could the STP be lifted over them?! 

 

What's the narrowest you can get away with? They already have a garden gate which must be nearly 1m wide. Just wondering how much more space is needed?

[Temp]

ChatGPT says a typical domestic STP weighs 150 to 500kg. Something like a telehandler should be able to lift that over a fence or hedge depending on the reach but you need someone who knows what they are doing. Can you get a telehandler close enough? perhaps rent a chain hoist at same time. An excavator might also be possible if it a very light STP but they are less capable than a telehandler when used as a crane . 

[Temp]

Can you "part" the hedge with ropes to make a gap so it doesn't have to be lifted so high? Even dig out some of the hedge and replace it later?

Edited August 5 by Temp

[jumbletons]

11 hours ago, Temp said:

Can you "part" the hedge with ropes to make a gap so it doesn't have to be lifted so high? Even dig out some of the hedge and replace it later?

Thank you, these are really useful ideas and much appreciated. I think with a combination of a well chosen STP, a 'can-do' attitude (currently missing!) by the installer, some hedge/tree pruning, and some appropriate machinery, it should be possible to find, what, a 2m width space? 

 

Basically my neighbours are saying it's simply impossible and they HAVE to have access via my garden, and I disagree, but this is part of a much wider disagreement. 

[Kelvin]

It’s a big treatment plant. It’s their problem not yours. You don’t need to give them access if you don’t want to. If they need to hire a crane to get it in then that’s what they need to do if they want it in. It’s up to them to solve it not you. 
 

Where I used to live the neighbour’s across the way bought a bloody huge spa pool thing. Their house was in the middle with no access at the back due to a large oak tree. The only way to get it in was to hire a crane and lift it over two gardens into theirs. 

[jumbletons]

1 hour ago, Kelvin said:

It’s a big treatment plant. It’s their problem not yours. You don’t need to give them access if you don’t want to. If they need to hire a crane to get it in then that’s what they need to do if they want it in. It’s up to them to solve it not you. 
 

Where I used to live the neighbour’s across the way bought a bloody huge spa pool thing. Their house was in the middle with no access at the back due to a large oak tree. The only way to get it in was to hire a crane and lift it over two gardens into theirs. 

 

This is part of a wider dispute - they're saying that our existing easement for a shared system can ONLY continue IF I agree to allow unrestricted access via my garden. I've requested screening to safeguard kids who use my pool, and fencing to be replaced by professional instead of my neighbour, and they've said that's ludicrous, so I've declined access. They're now saying they simply can't put the STP in the yard without access via my garden. I am disputing that. There is a solution, they just don't want to see it, they'd rather accuse me of being unreasonable instead of just cutting down a holly tree or two 😆

[Kelvin]

If it’s a shared system then presumably you require it to be installed too? Also explains why it’s so big I guess as presumably shared between a few houses. 

[saveasteading]

So it is a shared treatment plant? You share the use and running cost?

Do you share the installation cost too?

[jumbletons]

I posted this elsewhere, it's a shared system with a. whole year + of arguing back and forth! They are claiming they can ONLY replace the septic tank with an STP under the existing easement IF I allow unfettered access, on their terms, and if I refuse I am forfeiting my easement rights (nonsense), and they'll pursue legal action if I refuse access - the latter is irrelevant because I'm leaving the easement anyway, but I do want it on record that I am willing to discuss a range of options that haven't yet been explored, eg other access options. They can't just say "oh, it simply can't be done, our installer says so...", without exploring different STP types and different access options. 

[jumbletons]

(Also to add, there are no access rights on my property for this system, so there is no express legal right to access via my property -  they are simply saying the easement cannot be upheld without access by my garden, because the owner of the property on which the septic tank is located has grown a big old shrubbery around the F'ing thing....)

Edited August 6 by jumbletons

[jumbletons]

1 hour ago, Kelvin said:

If it’s a shared system then presumably you require it to be installed too? Also explains why it’s so big I guess as presumably shared between a few houses. 

This is for 2 x 5-bed houses, but they're sizing up because they're putting a bit of rainwater in it to save on installing rainwater drainage.....yeah, I know.....

Edited August 6 by jumbletons

[Mr Punter]

I think this is a legal matter.  The language used here is rather incendiary.  "Safeguard kids", "unfettered access on their terms", the owner of the property on which the septic tank is located has grown a big old shrubbery around the F'ing thing..." etc.

 

Shared access / driveway, rights etc. can be a real pain.  Can you install your own STP and break the toxic link?

[jumbletons]

1 hour ago, Mr Punter said:

I think this is a legal matter.  The language used here is rather incendiary.  "Safeguard kids", "unfettered access on their terms", the owner of the property on which the septic tank is located has grown a big old shrubbery around the F'ing thing..." etc.

 

Shared access / driveway, rights etc. can be a real pain.  Can you install your own STP and break the toxic link?

Yes, this is exactly what I am doing for the reasons you state. But I do want a written record of the fact that I have been willing to discuss and explore all options, including various ways in which the septic tank can be replaced, to refute their claim that I am being unreasonable or obstructive (because I’m not). I’m covering my back because I need to with these people 😔

[Temp]

Are you obliged to replace your septic tank with an STP under the regulations? 

 

If you will be sharing replacement costs won't it be in your interest to Ake it easy for them?

 

[Kelvin]

I think he suggested earlier that he intends to fit his own treatment plant which is the right thing to do, especially after all the disagreement. I won't ever share services like this again after the experience at our previous place. Became a pia and also added to the difficulty when it came to sell. 

[Great_scot_selfbuild]

On 06/08/2025 at 20:47, jumbletons said:

This is for 2 x 5-bed houses, but they're sizing up because they're putting a bit of rainwater in it to save on installing rainwater drainage.....yeah, I know.....

From the extensive research I had to do for ourselves, I understood that the regulations say you can’t put rainwater into the STP / drainage field. But that said, I it sounds like you’ve discussed this issue at length elsewhere on the forum. 
 

I think your comment about a lack of ‘can do attitude’ is probably the most important bit lacking on their part tbh. 
 

best of luck.