Demolition of buildings

The demolition of buildings

Procedure

Under section 80 of the Building Act 1984 a person who intends to demolish the whole or part of a building must notify the local authority, the occupier of any adjacent building and the gas or electricity authorities of the intention to demolish.

The person must also comply with any requirements, which the local authority may impose under section 82. These procedures do not apply to the demolition of the following:

· An internal part of an occupied building where it is intended that the building should continue to be occupied
· A building with a volume (ascertained by external measurement) which does not exceed 1750 cubic feet (50 cubic metres)
· A greenhouse, conservatory, shed or prefabricated garage which forms part of a larger building
· An agricultural building unless it is contiguous to a non-agricultural building or a building, which falls within the preceding paragraph.

The local authority may serve a notice on the person undertaking the demolition to carry out any or all of the following works:

· Shore up any adjacent buildings
· Make weatherproof any surfaces of an adjacent building exposed by the demolition
· Repair and make good any damage caused to any adjacent building as a result of the works of demolition
· Remove material and rubbish resulting from the demolition and clear the site
· Disconnect and seal, and/or remove any sewers or drains in or under the building
· Make good the surface of the ground disturbed by removal, etc. of drains and/or sewers
· Make arrangements with the gas, electricity and water authorities for the disconnection of supplies
· Make suitable arrangements with the Fire Authority (and the Health and Safety Executive, if necessary) with regard to the burning of   structures or materials on site
· Take such steps in connection with the demolition as are necessary for the protection of the public and the preservation of public amenity.

Notification of Intended demolition

Please complete and return the Notice of intended Demolition, located in the attached pdf file below to: Forest of Dean District Council, Building Control Department, Council Offices, High Street, Coleford, Gloucestershire. GL16 8HG, or e mail to: building.control@fdean.gov.uk.

Please note the following:

1. It is an offence to begin a demolition unless the Forest of Dean District Council has either served a counter notice under Section 81 of The Building Act 1984 or until six weeks has elapsed since this Section 80 notice was served.

2. Demolition works and protection for the public to be carried out in compliance with The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, and current Health and Safety legislation.

3. The removal and disposal of any asbestos, must be carried out under The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and by licensed specialist contractors.

4. You are advised to contact the Council’s Environmental Health Department regarding any potential noise, dust pollution and asbestos. Tel: 01594 810000.

5. You are advised to contact the Council’s Planning Departments regarding planning permission/listed building consent that may be required under the Town and Country Planning Acts before works commence. Tel: 01594 810000.

6. Bats

The following guidance  may be added to your application if you are carring out work to your roof space:

All bat species are protected under schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, and also under Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats & Species Regulations 2010. It is an offence to: intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or capture (take) bats; intentionally or recklessly disturb bats (whether in a roost or not); or damage, destroy or obstruct access to bat roosts. 

If you think that bats may be using your property or you discover a bat whilst development work is being undertaken, stop the work immediately and contact the National Bat Helpline on 0845 1300 228.

Below is a link to the forms required to make an application for Demolition.

Notice of Demolition (rev May 2011)