The notice must specify the building to which it relates and the works of demolition intended to be carried out. A copy of the notice must be given or sent to the occupier of any building adjacent to the building to be demolished and the notice must also be sent to the Building Control Manager at Mercury House (see contact details on right) together with the current charge of £130.00.
The demolition cannot start until the local authority has issued a notice under section 81 of the Building Act 1984 or the relevant period (currently six weeks) has expired.
Aspects of the demolition process which a section 81 notice can impose requirements on are detailed in section 82 and include:-
- Shoring up of adjacent buildings.
- Weatherproofing exposed surfaces of adjacent buildings.
- Repair and making good damage to adjacent buildings.
- Removal of material and rubbish resulting from the demolition.
- Disconnecting and sealing drains or sewers in or under the building.
- Removing any such drains or sewers.
- Making good the surface of the ground where drains or sewers have been sealed or removed.
- Making disconnection arrangements with relevant providers of gas, electricity and water.
- Health and safety issues relating to the demolition process and burning of materials to protect the public and preserve public amenity.
The demolition of certain buildings requires consent under The Town and Country Planning Acts, please contact Planning Control on 01708 432816 for further advice.
Building or demolition works can sometimes cause problems for neighbours of the site. You can reduce or avoid causing any nuisance to neighbours (and subsequent action being taken by the Council) if you follow this advice:
- Make sure you give the Council 6 weeks notice of the start of demolition works. Send a letter to the neighbours before work starts, telling them about the work and what to expect. Give the neighbours a contact name and telephone number and keep them informed.
- Deal promptly with any complaints received on site.
- Keep dust down by spraying with water when and where you can.
- There should be no noise heard from the site outside certain hours. Contact Environmental Health for more information.
- Particularly noisy operations (eg pile driving) may need more stringent controls. Pumps and generators should not be left running overnight if they can be heard outside the site.
- If you are a householder doing some or all the work yourself, try to avoid causing any noise or dust early in the morning, in the evenings or on Sundays.
- If noise problems occur the Council and the neighbours can take legal action. So if you think your work may cause a significant nuisance to the neighbours from noise or vibration, apply for "prior consent" from the Council who will allow a certain level of noise to occur.
- Bonfires that release "dark smoke" are illegal and the Council can prosecute any offenders.
For further advice on noise, dust, bonfires and other environmental issues, relating to demolition, please contact Environmental Health on 01708 432777.
For information on environmental impact and recycling of building materials please visit the following web site:
CIRIA Register of Construction Recycling Facilities