Demolition guidance notes
You need to apply for a notice of intention to demolish the whole or part of a building, unless:
- There is a demolition order in place made under the Housing Act 1957.
- You are demolishing internal parts of a building.
- You are demolishing a building that has volume less than 50 cubic metres.
- You are demolishing a detached agricultural building, attached garage, carports, greenhouse or shed.
What happens once you have applied?
After receiving an application, we will serve a counter-notice under Section 81 of the Building Act, making requirements that you will have to comply with within ten working days.
Statutory undertakers who provide the infrastructure for gas, water, electricity, public sewers, etc need at least six weeks notice of the intention to demolish. As such, you cannot begin demolition until we have issued the counter-notice under Section 81, or six weeks have expired.
We will set out requirements in relation to dealing with services such as gas, electricity, water and drainage, as well as protecting adjacent buildings, clearing the site, burning of rubbish and other items as considered necessary. We will also notify other organisations that we have received the notice.
It is the responsibility of the person commissioning and/or carrying out the work to ensure that all necessary notifications, and health and safety precautions are taken, and that the statutory undertakers for gas, water and electricity are notified. You must also notify occupiers of adjacent properties must also be notified.
We also recommend you notify your local council’s development planning team of an intention to carry out a demolition.