Guidance

Leaving decommissioned pipes in the ground: RPS 8

When you can leave decommissioned pipes in the ground without an environmental permit.

• From: Environment Agency
• Published: 22 June 2017
• Last updated: 14 February 2018 — See all updates

This publication was withdrawn on 1 February 2019

You do not need an environmental permit for decommissioned pipes which remain undisturbed in the ground.

This is because certain wastes are excluded from meeting Waste Framework Directive requirements including:

• land (in situ) including unexcavated contaminated soil and buildings permanently connected with the land

We believe ‘land in situ’ covers decommissioned pipes that are left ‘in situ’. Therefore leaving them undisturbed in the ground is not a waste operation under the Environmental Permitting Regulations.

Applies to England

Documents

Leaving decommissioned pipes in the ground: RPS 8

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Details

If you follow the conditions in this regulatory position statement (RPS) you do not need to apply for a permit to leave decommissioned pipes in the ground.

Published 22 June 2017
Last updated 14 February 2018 + show all updates

1. 14 February 2018

   Minor change to clarify that this RPS only applies when pipes are being re-routed. It is not restricted to cases where new pipes are laid alongside the old.

2. 22 June 2017

   First published.