Demolitions

Building Act 1984 - Sections 80, 81 and 82

This will allow adequate time for an initial site inspection/assessment to be made and notification given to statutory undertakers or other relevant bodies. (e.g. Gas, Water, Electricity, Health and Safety Executive, Fire and Rescue Service and adjacent owners). Within this period the local authority will issue a Counter Notice. Although a six week period is specified, the necessary tasks are normally carried out within a maximum of two weeks. Both the Planning and Environmental Health Units are also advised of the intended demolition works.

The Counter Notice, when served, outlines the conditions under which the demolition should take place. These conditions would normally include the following:

• weathering and shoring up of adjacent buildings;
• the removal of rubbish and debris resulting from the works;
• the repair of any damage to an adjacent building caused by the demolition works;
• the enclosing of the site to prevent unauthorised access;
• the disconnection and sealing of any redundant drains, and
• a general statement concerning the security of the site and the manner by which the demolition works should take place.

Conditions are also included about the need to obtain planning permission and also the need to investigate, where relevant, the presence and subsequent removal of toxic materials (e.g. Asbestos). If a building is found to contain these types of materials, the matter is referred to the Health and Safety Executive who are the enforcing authority in these situations.

Whilst there is some control with regard to dust pollution this potential problem together with noise pollution can be taken most effectively by legislation enforced by Environmental Health.

Inspections are carried out of the demolition work as it proceeds to ensure the conditions of the counter notice are met.

• A Demolition Notice form is available here