If so, you might need an environmental permit. The Environment Agency’s (EA) Regulatory Position Statement 8 (RPS 8) published on-line in June states that “Old pipes that are taken out of use (decommissioned) are classified as waste.” However, in situations where replacement pipework is laid alongside or through broken or damaged pipework then if the conditions in RPS 8 are followed there is no need to apply for a permit to leave decommissioned pipes in the ground. For more information go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/leaving-decommissioned-pipes-in-excavations-rps-8/leaving-decommissioned-pipes-in-excavations-rps-8.