Environment Agency Discharge License

[Robert K]

Trying to get a Building Regs Completion Certificate for our new build house, which has a sewage treatment plant.

 

Building Control are suggesting we may need a Discharge License from the Environment Agency.

 

We think we meet the General Binding Rules, but whether or not we do, can Building Control hold up our Completion Certificate?  If they can, we are told it could take many months to get the license.

[dpmiller]

where in the world are you?

[nod]

I keep saying it 

But I can’t understand why we all don’t have our location shown

Would be helpful 

Guessing Scotland 

[ProDave]

9 hours ago, nod said:

Guessing Scotland 

No that would be a SEPA licence and BC in Scotland would not have issued a building warrant to start until that was in place.

 

EA covers England and Wales.

[nod]

4 minutes ago, ProDave said:

No that would be a SEPA licence and BC in Scotland would not have issued a building warrant to start until that was in place.

 

EA covers England and Wales.

I’ve never been asked by LA BC on either of our builds 

 

Still don’t understand why the site doesn’t publish location Saves all this nonsense 

 

I help moderate two unrelated sites and add the region to everyone’s Avatars 

[ProDave]

2 minutes ago, nod said:

I’ve never been asked by LA BC on either of our builds 

I don't think you would be in Scotland if discharging to land.  We only needed one to discharge to a watercourse.

[nod]

Just now, ProDave said:

I don't think you would be in Scotland if discharging to land.  We only needed one to discharge to a watercourse.

It’s crazy how rules can be so different between the two 

[ProDave]

I think it can even vary between one BC and another.  if @Robert K would come back and tell us where he is and what system he has we might be able to advise him further.  Until then we are guessing.

[saveasteading]

53 minutes ago, nod said:

It’s crazy how rules can be so different between the two

Which do you prefer? Which one would give way?

I've worked with both.

 

Personally...  as a business I much preferred to start a job at risk. The English way.Building  notice. My risk.

But I think lots of errors and costs occur this way, and the bco doesn't see them all.

 

The Scottish method ensures better quality and integrated design.

 

Then to water. Scottish water is generally much better quality so why reduce this standard?

Why would the English system improve standards?  The system likes it as is. Agriculture/ development. *

It would cost a lot to improve policing by returning investment and control to the E A etc.

 

* I would prefer much higher standards on new development and them to pay for sewage treatment works improvement. Zero rain to leave the site.

[Alan Ambrose]

We needed one as we were draining to an intermittent watercourse (if I remember rightly) - took a while as they ‘lost’ our first application. About 6 months - I’ve posted the exact time ere somewhere.

[Robert K]

On 17/10/2025 at 21:50, dpmiller said:

where in the world are you?

Buckinghamshire.

[Robert K]

On 17/10/2025 at 21:50, dpmiller said:

where in the world are you?

Buckinghamshire.

[Robert K]

19 hours ago, Alan Ambrose said:

We needed one as we were draining to an intermittent watercourse (if I remember rightly) - took a while as they ‘lost’ our first application. About 6 months - I’ve posted the exact time ere somewhere.

 

[Robert K]

That’s the issue.  We do discharge into a watercourse, but it’s normally flowing, so we should not need a license.   But because of the current drought the flow has all but stopped.

 

The question is can Building Control require us to obtain an EA licence before issuing our completion certificate?   It would delay us by many months.   I am trying to find out if they have the power to do that?

[saveasteading]

3 hours ago, Robert K said:

if they have the power to do that

The bco is not an utter expert on the subject and won't have the qualifications or insurance for this decision. So will probably wants a piece of paper for the files. 

Unless it's obviously OK. Ask them in casual manner .... is there anything you need more detail on?

[Robert K]

That’s the issue.  We do discharge into a watercourse, but it’s normally flowing, so we should not need a license.   But because of the current drought the flow has all but stopped.

 

The question is can Building Control require us to obtain an EA licence before issuing our completion certificate?   It would delay us by many months.   I am trying to find out if they have the power to do that?

[saveasteading]

Yes they have the power.

 

Who designed this?

Would you swear that it is a watercourse?

Would something horrible happen if a similar drought recurred and it was your outlet?

Would a drainage field be feasible?

 

I repeat my point. Talk to the designer. If that is non-productive then talk to the bco....  watercourse or drainage field?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Alan Ambrose]

I have half a memory that the EA has an escalation procedure. You might call them and see whether they’ll do something promptly for you. Alternatively, if you can get an ‘expert’ to write something acceptable the BCO might accept that. Is there someone else using the same route? - I have a few neighbours who are, so it would hardly make sense to allow them but deny me. Once I got hold of a normal human at the EA, they were quite helpful and found the details of the drainage route they needed - I supplied the gist 400 metres or so and they figured it out to the final tidal destination.

[Gus Potter]

On 17/10/2025 at 20:33, Robert K said:

We think we meet the General Binding Rules, but whether or not we do, can Building Control hold up our Completion Certificate?  If they can, we are told it could take many months to get the license.

They are actually doing you a favour. If you don't have a license to discharge then your house and plot could be worthless unless you have another alternative.