Demolitions - Demolition application

Under section 80 of The Building Act 1984, owners who want to demolish a building must write to inform the council.

If the application is satisfactory, Building Control will issue the owner or demolition contractor a counter notice.

The counter notice lists what the owner should do about matters related to the building, such as:

• Clearing and making the site safe
• Shoring of adjoining buildings and weatherproofing
• Termination of services: drains and utilities(gas, water and electricity)

Demolition can only start:

• After the counter notice is issued; or
• Six weeks after the owner wrote to Building Control informing it of his intention to demolish the building

A building control officer will visit the site to ensure that the conditions in the notice are complied with.

Demolition notification is not required for:

• A building being demolished because of an order made under the Housing Act 1985; or
• An internal part of an occupied building; or
• A small building less than 1765 cubic feet in volume; or
• An attached outbuilding such as a garage; or
• An agricultural building

The above notice is in addition to any approvals required under planning or other legislation.