Town and Country Planning Act ~ demolition is generally not regarded
as development, but planning permission will be required if the site is to
have a change of use. Attitudes to demolition can vary between local
planning authorities and consultation should be sought.Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act ~ listed
buildings and those in conservation areas will require local
authority approval for any alterations. Consent for change may be
limited to partial demolition, particularly where it is necessary to
preserve a building frontage for historic reasons. See the
arrangements for temporary shoring on the preceding pages.Building Act ~ intention to demolish a building requires six weeks
written notice of intent. The next page shows the typical outline
of a standard form for submission to the building control
department of the local authority, along with location plans.
Notice must also be given to utilities providers and adjoining/
adjacent building owners, particularly where party walls are
involved. Small buildings of volume less than 50 m^3 are generally
exempt. Within six weeks of the notice being submitted, the local
authority will specify their requirements for shoring, protection of
adjacent buildings, debris disposal and general safety requirements
under the HSE.Public Health Act ~ the local authority can issue a demolition
enforcement order to a building owner, where a building is
considered to be insecure, a danger to the general public and
detrimental to amenities.Highways Act ~ concerns the protection of the general public using
a thoroughfare in or near to an area affected by demolition work.
The building owner and demolition contractor are required to
ensure that debris and other materials are not deposited in the
street unless in a suitable receptacle (skip) and the local authority
highways department and police are in agreement with its location.
Temporary road works require protective fencing and site
hoardings must be robust and secure. All supplementary provisions
such as hoardings and skips may also require adequate illumination.
Provision must be made for immediate removal of poisonous and
hazardous waste.Demolition -- Relevant Acts