Demolitions - enforcements
Building or demolition works can cause problems for neighbours
of the site. You can reduce or avoid causing any nuisance to the
neighbours, or action being taken by the Council, if you follow
this advice.
Tell the council and the neighbours
- Give the Local Authority 6 weeks notice of demolition work. The
council may impose some conditions about how the work should be
done.
- Send a letter to the neighbours before work starts, telling
them about the work and what to expect. Give the neighbours a
contact name and telephone number and keep them informed.
- Deal promptly with any complaints received on site.
Keep dust, noise and smoke to a minimum
Keep dust down by spraying with water when and where you
can.
Particularly noisy operations like pile driving may need more
stringent controls. Pumps and generators should not be left running
overnight if they can be heard outside the site.
If you are a householder doing some or all the work yourself,
try to avoid causing any noise or dust in the evenings or on
Sundays.
If noise problems occur, the Council and the neighbours can take
legal action. If you think your work may cause a significant
nuisance to the neighbours from noise or vibration, apply to
us for "prior consent" and we will allow a certain level
of noise to occur.
Smoke
- Bonfires that release "dark smoke" are illegal and
the council will prosecute any offenders.
- Advice about bonfires is available from the Local
Authority
- Stop the bonfire at the end of the working day.
Obstruction and damage to pavements
- Do not let vehicles or materials block or damage the
pavements.
- Do not leave obstacles, holes or trenches where they
are a danger, especially to disabled people.
- The Council may charge you for any damage caused to
pavements, kerbs or verges by lorries or heavy plant.