We are about to complete the purchase of our home in France. The property is in reasonable condition but will require quite a bit of work to bring it up to a decent useable standard. On my list of modifications is the moving of the kitchen to a more suitable position. My question is, do we need planning to reroute the grey water pipes from their current position. They currently run from the middle of the house to the fosse but I’d like to change the angle which will allow us to relocate the kitchen and utilities.
As always, a quick word with your Mairie about the property you plan to Buy and any modifications you hope to be able to do… can be very useful.
and it’s always a nice way to introduce yourselves… 
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If the space is under 40m2 the just a declaration prélable will be enough. Over 40m2 you need full planning.
not sure how much SPANC care about the internal drains, but maybe best to ask.
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There’s no permissions needed to change internal plumbing.
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Welcome and happy plumbing to come!
I’m with @chrisell on this one and if all you are doing is re-routing the grey water waste pipes then no permission required….I do though agree with going to see the Mairie to say hi and just ask the question to show good intent.
Btw….you know this already but here goes… avoid buying pipes and fixtures and fittings from anywhere other than France (to avoid common pipe size and fitting mismatches)….and also try to avoid brico’s and buy from a decent merchants…better quality all around if not a tad more expensive. Tell me to be quiet too of course!
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Thanks for the advice. There may be a need to alter the course of the new external drains as the current one exits the property at a 90 degree angle heading directly to the fosse. I may need to sink a new drain from the utility room to intercept the current drain at a different angle. This is all quite a while away and plans could change once the chief of staff gets involved. Just a finger in the air atm to see what’s possible.
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He talked about moving the kitchen, which needs a DP
Are you sure? Unless you add living space can’t see why - it’s not listed.
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Sorry, forgot the over 40m2 bit!
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Sounds like you are at an early stage and wish you all the best with the design.
Do you know if the drain has a rodding eye or access point close to the 90 deg bend?…sometimes here in France, the construction of external and internal waste pipework is a bit crappy so maybe make a good survey of what you have and then see how to make it better?
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For internal changes? Extensions need DP/permis but moving your internal layout doesn’t
As it happens, it’s never a waste of time, discussing with the Mairie one’s plans to change the internal layout of one’s property.
Our Secretaire has asked me to mention to all Brits, in our Commune, that she would rather speak with them well in advance… and certainly before one signs a devis or spends any money. 
just to keep everything on the straight and narrow.
Getting paperwork (and sometimes permissions) done in retrospect is not always straightforward. If the situation only comes to light at “point-of-Sale” it can cause heartfailure/panic and possible loss of prospective buyer. etc etc.
and I have previously quoted one instance when an Insurance claim after a housefire, was almost “thrown out of the window” due to the fact that there were more bedrooms destroyed than “officially” listed as existing.. I was the Translator (standing in the snow) while heated discussions went on and on… aargh. (That chaos was due to “internal changes” aaargh)
@Simon mentions “a list of modifications” and, depending on his intentions.. it could well be that the Mairie does “need to know” and (possibly) his Insurers too.
Always best to check these things… before a nasty wobbly arrives (heaven forbid)
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Brico 's like B Depot supply pipe to the Normes and cheap pipe not to the Normes.
I appreciate that if you plan to extend or increase the size of a property you would be best served by announcing this to those that matter, however, I’m not sure the Marie would be too interested if one of their British residents wants to move kitchen cabinets from one room to another. We’ll tip our hat to the Mairie soon after we complete and give them a précis of our plans in our finest Franglais.
Thanks again for all the advice.
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You will note that I was specifically not talking about you extending or increasing the size of the property…
You mentioned a “list of modifications” and in the absence of detail, the advice to visit your Mairie still stands.
Of course, it’s up to you.. you know what you plan/hope to do …. and, hopefully, it will all turn out well.
Best of luck.
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@Simon - I would say this is very sage advice. Stick to French bought items as apparently cheaper Uk imports will never be cheaper longer term.
Good Luck with the purchase. Welcome to France.
That would also be a case of under insured?
We were required to get DP to put in new shower room, and (separately) when layout changes created a room over 40m2.
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How much of the form actually applied to your proposal? It’s a big form covering house builders and everything in between although I gather it’s on line now.
being under-insured is the least of the possibilities, providing false information can (I believe) negate a policy. aargh.
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