Construction and Building Sites
Construction and building sites can cause problems to local
residents. Environmental Health aims to work with residents and
developers to ensure that the impact is minimised and controlled,
where possible.
Permitted hours of work will normally be:
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Monday to Friday
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0800 – 1800
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Saturday
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0800 – 1300 |
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Sundays & Bank Holidays
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No Working
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If a company wishes to work outside of these hours (on a
Construction Site) they will normally be required to submit an
application for prior consent.
Noise
Noise from construction sites is controlled by the Control of
Pollution Act (COPA) 1974. Construction companies and contractors
are required to take all reasonable steps to control noise and to
demonstrate that they are applying 'Best Practicable Means'.
Dust
Dust from construction sites is controlled by the Environmental
Protection Act (EPA) and can often be minimised by:
- carefully siting transport routes
- providing hard-surfaced roadways
- imposing speed limits on site
- damping stockpiles of materials and roadways with water
- keeping roadways clear
- adjusting working methods e.g. to minimise demolition or
crushing dust
- storing fine material under cover.
It is important to note that the environmental legislation
controlling dust is for the protection of human health and the
environment in general. If dust only affects your property or
possessions, Environmental Health will not be able to help.
Burning
It is an offence under Section II of the Clean Air Act 1993 to
burn anything on an industrial or trade premises which is likely to
cause dark smoke. A person found guilty under this section can be
liable to a fine on summary conviction not exceeding £20,000.
In addition, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Part
III, nuisance legislation applies where a nuisance is defined as
something which unreasonably interferes with someone else’s
enjoyment of their home or garden. If we confirm that a nuisance
does exist, we are able to serve a legal document called an
Abatement Notice on the person responsible, requiring that the
nuisance is stopped. If the Abatement Notice is ignored, then any
further nuisance will be an offence which, on conviction in the
magistrate’s Court, could result in fines of up to £20,000 and
£2,000 per day for each day the offence continues.
The Environment Agency also have powers to deal with the burning
of waste on trade premises. Under Part II of the Environmental
Protection Act 1990, you have a duty of care concerning the
disposal of trade waste. Section 33 of this Act states that a
person shall not dispose of controlled waste in a manner likely to
cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health. The
maximum penalty under this section is £20,000. Any burning of waste
is therefore an offence under this legislation.
Exemptions from the Environment Agency powers relate to the
burning of wood, bark and plant material at the site of production
provided fires do not cause persistent problems to neighbours.
However, these fires still have to be registered with the
Environment Agency and
it is an offence not to do so.
Action can still be taken by the Council under the Clean Air Act
or Nuisance legislation.
If you are bothered by noise or dust which originates from a
construction site then please contact a member of
Environmental Health by filling in our request for service form and
returning it to us, or by telephone on 01843 577580. The
problem will then be investigated and you will be kept regularly
informed.