[Scotland] Nearest water main is on a neighbours land

[neach-togail]

We've had our planning permission granted and I'm looking at getting water to the property. There is a water main about 10m from one of our boundaries, but it runs across a neighbours land. Other neighbours have mentioned having trouble with him in the past, so I'm expecting this to be difficult. 

 

I can see that according to the "Water (Scotland) Act 1980" that Scottish water do have the right to access private property to install new connections. However, in their sign up portal, they won't let you proceed without a letter from the neighbour giving permission to access their land. It sounds like they want to avoid having to go this route if at all possible.

 

So, my question(s): How likely is it that Scottish water will go down this route rather than saying "It's too expensive" and rejecting us? Has anyone else run into this before?

[JohnMo]

26 minutes ago, neach-togail said:

"It's too expensive" and rejecting us?

 

If they don't need to go across someones garden or land they possibly wouldn't - you just end up paying more for a longer route. They are unlikely to reject saying its too expensive - they will not care how much it costs. it's your money they will use, not their own.

[ProDave]

Have you actually requested a new connection  from Scottish water yet?  It is not your job to tell them where you expect the pipe to run.  Get a quote first and then if they propose a distant expensive connection, then start questioning it.

[marmic]

hopefully not but be prepared for a possibilty it could be more complicated???   is it definitely a water authority pipeline?  no idea if different to england - but if the same:

• water authority should be able to provide a map of their pipes.
• If it's private could be time to be nice and/or write a 'name your price' cheque to get a connection (which could even involve a sub meter with rates possibly by your neighbour, albeit not sure on latter) but make sure you spend even more (with solicitor) and get an easement in place (and pay your neighbours fees too) which stays on land registry even when your property sold
• I know of some pipes you would think are water authority but they are private, sometimes shared - even if before meter.  Water companies generally won't or are reluctant to adopt these and as far as I know can't be forced.   I knew somebody way back elsewhere in the country who didn't know they were responsible for about 1/2 mile or more of pipe - which leaked badly -  they reported it then received a surprise enforcement notice to repair due to wasteage, but really needed replacing at enormous cost added to further as highways also involved. Lost touch so no idea what happened in end

worst case scenario off grid RWH time perhaps..................