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Below ground services

Whether you’re digging down to build a porch on your home or a planning a new housing development, it’s important to understand what services may be below ground. Without checking, digging could interfere with cables or pipes for gas, electrics or telecoms and could also be a danger.

The Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body representing the companies which operate the electricity wires, gas pipes and energy system in the UK and Ireland. They provide detailed advice on how you should prepare and what to consider before you start to dig.

Read the Think Before You Dig guidance from the Energy Networks Association1.

Find out more by visiting our utilities common project2 and read the information by industry bodies and other utility search initiatives so you know how to safely plan before you dig down.

  1. https://www.energynetworks.org/campaigns/thinkbeforeyoudig
  2. https://planningportal.pp.tqinfra.co.uk/permission/common-projects/utilities/gas-safety

The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2024 Planning Portal.

The Planning Portal is delivered by PortalPlanQuest Limited which is a joint venture between TerraQuest Solutions Limited and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). All content © 2024 Planning Portal.