Demolition of Buildings

A person intending to demolish a building (or part) must give notice to the Building Control Section and await receipt of the City Council`s `Counter Notice` before starting work.

How to Apply for Consent

- Complete and submit the Notice of Demolition
- Building Control Service will carry out a site inspection and will serve the Counter Notice in accordance with Sections 81 and 82 of the Building Act 1984.
Commencing Demolition Work

- Demolition works may only commence after receipt of the City Council`s Counter Notice or on expiry of 6 weeks from the date Notice was given to the City Council.
- Planning consent may also be required prior to demolishing a building. For further advice contact the City Council`s Development Control Section - Telephone (023) 8083 2603.

Counter Notice Requirements

The Council`s Counter Notice will specify requirements that the owner or agent must adhere to during the demolition process.

These requirements relate to:

- Shoring and weatherproofing adjacent buildings.
- Repairing damage to adjacent buildings.
- Removing rubbish from the site.
- Disconnecting, sealing or removing drains and sewers on the site.
- Making good disturbed ground.
- Making arrangements with statutory undertakers for the disconnection of services to the building.
- Arrangements for burning of material on the site.
- Other matters such as securing the site against unauthorised access, or ensuring compliance with British Standard 6187 Code of Practice on Demolition.

Copies of the Counter Notice will be sent to relevant Statutory Undertakers, including Southern Electricity, Transco, Southern Water Services, the Health and Safety Executive, Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service, owner/occupiers of adjacent buildings and other sections of the Council and interested bodies.

Giving Notice of Certain Stages

A person undertaking demolition work must provide Building Control with notice of certain stages of the work; these are as follows.

- At least 48 hours notice must be given before disconnecting, sealing or removing drains and sewers on the site.
- At least 24 hours notice must be given before making good disturbed ground

To give notice of these stages you may contact the Building Control Section in the following ways:
Telephone: 023 8083 2558
E-mail building.control@southampton.gov.uk
Post: Building Control Services, Southampton City Council, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LU

Asbestos

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral which has been mined and processed. It has been widely used in a variety of building and household products due to its unique properties, which include: high tensile strength, thermal stability and resistance to chemicals and electricity. There are three main types of asbestos which have been used commercially.