Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe
Emergency private land access to repair collapsed sewer Fisher German were instructed to undertake landowner consultation and obtain emergency access to private land in order to repair a collapsed sewer in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. The sewer had collapsed in private land on the boundary between some amenity land that formed part of a residential development and the car park for an office development. Access was required within 3 days of us being instructed. Fisher German immediately carried out Land Registry searches to identify the relevant landowners and the managing agent for the office block was identified. Within two days Fisher German had undertaken consultation meetings with the developers who owned the amenity land, the managing agent for the offices, four office tenants who would lose parking spaces and the garden owner. Once the consultation was complete, emergency Water Industry Act Notices were prepared and delivered in person the evening before work was due to commence. Fisher German liaised with Severn Trent Water, their contractor and the affected property owners/occupiers throughout the works to ensure that all parties were kept informed. Compensation payments for the affected parties were agreed and processed by Fisher German to ensure that all financial losses were reimbursed by Severn Trent Water.
Key Benefits As the engineering works took a short period of time to organise, this gave an ideal opportunity for affected landowners and occupiers to be consulted, and Notices served prior to access being taken. Taking this approach meant that those affected were fully aware of what was going to happen before access was taken.
Obstacles As the sewer had collapsed, the work had to be undertaken very quickly to avoid a pollution incident. This meant that we had a period of two days to identify the affected landowners and occupiers, consult with them and serve the Water Industry Act Notices.
Added Value • By carrying out prompt consultation and explaining the works that had to be undertaken, Fisher German were able to build a level of trust with the affected landowners and occupiers which meant they were co-operative throughout the repair project. • Fisher Germans ability to respond immediately was essential in order to secure access for these emergency works.
fishergerman.co.uk 07808 571064 Matthew.Willoughby@fishergerman.co.uk