Demolitions

• Click here to complete an online form Notice of Demolitions
• Click here to download a copy of the form Demolition Notice

If you need to demolish a building you need to contact Building Control.

Building Control consults with relevant parties and issues a notice specifying the conditions which need to be complied with when the demolition is carried out.

You can reduce or avoid causing any nuisance to your neighbours, or action being taken by the council, if you:

• Give the council six 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 a contact name and number and keep them informed.
• Deal promptly with any complaints received on site.

Click here to view an extract Extract from Building Act about demolitions.

Noise (Please refer to Environmental Health)

• Acceptable hours for activities involving the use of plant and machinery are 7.30am-6pm Monday to Friday and 8am-1pm on Saturday.
• Developers must demonstrate they do their utmost to keep noise to a minimum.
• No noisy work will normally be permitted on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
• Operations outside these hours may be agreed by the council if the works cannot be carried out at any other time and items of plant and equipment are operated and maintained so their use causes the minimum amount of noise.
• Pumps and generators should not be left running overnight if they can be heard outside the site.
• If you think the work may cause a significant nuisance from noise or vibration, apply for prior consent from the council, which will allow a certain level of noise to occur.

The above times do not restrict other work activities which won't cause a disturbance. If noise problems occur, the council and the neighbours can take legal action.

Dust and smoke

• Keep dust down by spraying with water when and where you can.
• Waste materials should be taken to a licensed tip and not burned on site.
• * Bonfires that release dark smoke are illegal and the council will prosecute any offenders.
• * Advice about bonfires is available from the council.
• * Stop the bonfire at the end of the working day.

* Please refer to Environmental Health.

Obstruction and damage to pavements (Please refer to Surrey County Council Highways)

• Do not leave obstacles, holes or trenches where they are a danger, especially to disabled people.
• Do not let vehicles or materials block or damage the pavements.
• The Highways Authority may charge you for any damage caused to pavements, kerbs or verges by lorries or heavy plant.
• If you are a householder doing some or all of the work yourself, try to avoid causing any noise or dust in the evenings or on Sundays.