churches of cumbria
and what they can offer
to everyone
| Trench Arch Systems |
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GETTING PERMISSION FOR A TRENCH ARCH TOILET Because trench arch systems are new to Cumbria, some local planning authorities might be cautious about your plans to install one. It might help to reassure them that there are already many in other counties (see below for a list). You might also find it useful to contact some of these churches to find out how they went about installing their system, what they paid and whether they are happy with it. Digging the drain is very cheap and is also a basic job that can be carried out by a willing team of competent parishioners. You need to get approval from the Environment Agency and having this approval might also give some comfort to the planning authority. You will also need to carry out a soil percolation test; the more porous the soil the better. The Environment Agency (EA) will accept the use of trench arch systems in very low/infrequent-use situations where the environmental impact is acceptable and where an environmental permit (formally discharge consent) is required. For a small scale sewage discharge (less than five cubic metres per day) you need to fill in form B6.5 which, together with relevant guidance can be found here. The EA recommend that with your application, you also include a covering letter explaining that the application is for a trench arch system for treatment of a low volume discharge system. If you decide to go ahead with an application, call or email the EA and they can discuss any site specific details with you. They will also give you the necessary pre-application reference number. If the sewage discharge is less than 5m3 per day, the reduced application fee will be payable and is currently £125. You need to enclose payment with your application which should be sent to: The Environment Agency, Permitting Support Centre, Environmental Permitting Team, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue, Parkway Business Park, Sheffield, S9 4WF. Richard Henry, Eco-op Ltd (Eden Fellside Environmental Co-operative Trading Ltd) can assist you with your waste-water solutions. He is based at Unit 68, Gilwilly Industrial Estate, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 9BL, Tel: 01768 890380, Fax: 01768 892555 Examples of Trench Arch Loos: Peterborough Diocese: Uppingham St Peter and St Paul. Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich churches have had faculties for WCs with trench arch drainage systems: Gislingham, Sibton, Benhall, Blaxhall, Haughley, Cockfield, Old Newton and Offton. These are all country churches without mains drainage. Within the Gloucester Diocese area, there are numerous trench arch WCs. Below are some Gloucester examples which have been installed since 2000. The Diocese is not aware of there being any problems with any of these. St Briavels St Mary, Forest of Dean. Contact Mr David Rees 01594 530443 Westbury-on-Severn St Peter & St Paul, Forest of Dean. Contact The Revd Ian Gobey 01452 760592 Selsley All Saints, Stroud District Council. Contact Mr Richard Lister 01453 873416 Temple Guiting St Mary, Cotswold District Council. Contact Mr Peter Forshaw 01242 602593 Apperley Holy Trinity, Tewkesbury Borough Council. Contact Mr Roger Taylor 01452 780561 Avening Holy Cross, Cotswold District Council. Contact Mr George Buchanan 01453 833016 Stratton St Peter, Cotswold District Council. Contact Mr David Edwards 01285 655091 Wormington St Katharine, Tewkesbury Borough Council. Contact Mrs Sylvia Ward 01386 584331
Churches Trust for Cumbria, August 2011 |