Demolitions - control and advice
Giving notice to the Council on Section 80 (Notice to Local Authority of intended demolition).
The Building Act 1984 requires that the Local Authority is advised in writing of any intended demolition at least 6 weeks before the work is carried out.
This applies to any demolition of the whole or part of a building. You may obtain advice on demolition work by contacting Building Control.
It is an offence for a person to start demolition works without giving six weeks notice prior to commencement and should a person commence demolition they are liable to prosecution.
Written notice to the Local Authority must specify the building, details of the works of demolition and the person undertaking the work. Also that:-
- The occupiers of adjacent buildings have been informed, and compliance with the Party Wall Act has been achieved.
- The gas supply for the building has been terminated.
- The electricity supply for the building has been terminated.
- The water supply for the building has been terminated.
- Drainage from the building/site will be sealed.
- How the site will be secured following completion.
Anyone who intends to demolish a building or a part of a building, whether the owner or the demolition contractor, must serve the above mentioned notice on this Council's Building Control Section informing of their intentions before demolition work starts. Demolition may not commence until the Council has given permission or a period of six weeks from the giving of the notice of intended demolition has elapsed.
If the building is in a conservation area or is listed as being of architectural or historic interest, Listed Building Consent will also be required.
Exemptions
The only exemptions for serving a demolition notice are for buildings not requiring Listed Building Consent as follows:
- The demolition of an internal part of a building if the building continues to be occupied.
- Buildings having an external size of less than 50m3 (this volume is less than the size of an average double garage).
- Extensions on a larger building that consists of a domestic greenhouse, conservatory, shed or pre-fabricated garage.
Other parties to be notified
The owner or demolition contractor must also provide the following with a copy of the notice which they serve on the Council.
- The owners of any building adjacent to the building to be demolished.
- Gas Authority
- Electricity Authority
- Water Authority
What will the Council do?
The Building Control Surveyors will always visit the site concerned. They will also ensure that the appropriate copies of notice have been given to those mentioned above.
The Highways section of the Council is consulted to ensure that safe access is possible to the site, and if deemed necessary the Fire Brigade and the Health and Safety Executive are also consulted.
When giving approval for the demolition to take place the Council will require the owner/contractor to adhere to certain conditions, including:-
- Adequate shoring, repair and weather proofing of adjacent buildings.
- Removal of material or rubbish and disconnection, removal or sealing of drainage.
- The disconnection of Gas, Electricity and water supplies.
- The burning of materials on site in a controlled manner.
The Council gives approval by serving a counter notice on the person intending to carry out the demolition work, under Section 81 of the Building Act 1984; or
A period of six weeks has expired since written notification of the intended demolition was given to the Council.
Useful addresses - Statutory Undertakers
Area offices for premises within the Birmingham and Solihull Postal District:
NPower
PO Box 92
Tyne House
Birchwood Drive
Peterlee
Durham
SR8 2XZ
Transco
Isolations Team
Swan Lane
West Bromwich
West Midlands
B70 9RJ
Severn Trent Water
Sherbourne House
St Mallins Road
Finham
Coventry
CV3 6SD
Useful References
Below are some references that you will find useful in relation to demolitions.
- Building Act 1984
- Highways Act 1980
- BS 6187:1982 Code of Practice for Demolition
- Health & Safety at Work Booklet - 6E Safety in Construction Work: Demolition
- Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
- Construction (Working Places) Regulations 1966
- Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 1994
Contact Details
For further advice and guidance on demolition please contact the Building Control team.
Telephone: 0121 704 8008
Email: BuildingControl@solihull.gov.uk