Side gate and gas meter question

[valve90210]

I've got a bit of a question regarding the location of my gas meter and my side gate, the current state of which is shown below:

At present the side gate (which is in a terrible condition and looks more like a hurriedly lashed together zombie barricade) is located near the back of the house, meaning that the side access corridor to the house is not really a useable space as it's not secure. I want to build a new side gate but would like to move it forward so I can use this space for a small shed or wall store or something which would be really useful and a good use of the area. However as you can see in the photo, the gas meter is located along the side wall and is just in front of the current location of the side gate.

Would I be allowed to build a side gate further forward than the meter (ie the meter would be somewhere behind the gate) without moving the meter? I know I could pay to have meter moved but I'm also aware that the cost of doing so is huge as you have only a couple of options for doing so and they use their virtual monopoly (or duopoly actually) to make the price huge.

 

[valve90210]

Excellent, I shall get myself a gate built... gives me some more storage space for bbq's etc!

 

[valve90210]

I might get a quote but I assume it will be hellishly expensive. My parents recently has an extension on the front of their house and the meter needed to be moved about 1.5m forward, so just shortening the pipes and moving it forward that short distance and it cost something like £700 - £800 and took the workmen literally 20minutes!!!

 

[valve90210]

With regard to building the gate, I was thinking of brick plars either side to put the gate in the middle but how would I stand with building over the strip of border directly next to the house where the gas pipes most likely go? Would that be ok or would I be better mounting the gate against the wall and laveing that border intact?

 

[valve90210]

No problem mounting post on wall.

I had a similar problem a few years ago, solved by sleeving a water pipe, with a piece of plastic 40mm waste pipe, cutting it along it's length so you can slot it over pipe, then make up some form work either end of pipe & filled space with concrete, to provide base for a pier.

You could scrape about a bit and see if you can find the top of the pipe in the border bit then if you get low enough cast some concrete for a pier, if you find it think of something else.

The pipe should be 400 - 600mm deep ha ha

I was actually more thinking if it was ok to do but both of these seem like great plans and I'm guessing I can just do this then build a nice brick pillar to hold my gate