Pollution control - construction information

The authority monitors construction activities to minimise pollution caused by noise, dust and other nuisances.

Construction sites are in the open and are often near existing residential accommodation.

Noise from demolition, construction works, deliveries and the movement of vehicles and other plant both on and off the site has the potential to cause disturbance to neighbouring residents. This authority would therefore expect that any work audible beyond the boundary of the site should only be carried out between the hours of 8am to 6pm on Mondays to Fridays and 8.00 am to 1pm on Saturdays; there should be no noisy works carried out on Sundays or Bank Holidays or Public Holidays. However, there are some situations where the Council would allow some flexibility with these hours, especially when there are health and safety or good road traffic reasons for doing so. There is also some information on the noise pages which covers noise from construction sites.

Best practicable means to prevent noise from the site should also be employed as defined in British Standard BS 5228 Part 1: 1984. It is recommended that you allow for this in your project planning and ensure that all sub-contractors are aware of these requirements.

Failure to keep to these hours or to employ best practicable means to control noise could lead to the service of an enforcement notice under Section 60 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 on the developer.

If a developer can show there is good reason to deviate from the above, they may apply for prior consent under Section 61 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. For further details regarding control of noise from construction and associated works, please contact Solihull Connect on 0121 704 8000. A prior consent form can be downloaded from this page and any additional information can be sent to us with the completed application form.