I looked at Building Regulations 2000 Part G, which came into effect in 2001, 8 years ago. Regs may predate that.
Par 3.9 talks about discharge pipes.
"The discharge pipe should terminate in a safe place where there is no risk to persons in the vicinity of the discharge."
In addition it talks about low level discharges up to 100mm off the ground being acceptable provided that where children play a wire cage or guard is fitted. A high-level discharge into a metal hopper/downpipe is acceptable.
But not what you've got - info you've been given is tripe.