Demolition work

If you are planning to carry out demolition work greater than 50 metres cubed in volume (some exemptions apply) you must notify us before you start.

Notifying us of demolition work

If you're planning to carry out demolition work to a building or structure which is over 50m3 in volume (some exemptions apply) you must notify us before you start. This volume is approximately the size of a 2 storey residential rear extension.

This is a requirement of Section 80 of the Building Act 1984 (the Act).

An application form with the appropriate fee should be submitted to the council at least 6 weeks before the work is due to start. Demolition works should not start until either the 6 weeks have elapsed, or we serve a notice under Section 81 of the Act.

Relevant legislation

The controls for demolition work are given under Section 80 – 83 of the Act.  Your notification should include all of the information set out in Section 80, specifically the building to which it relates, and the works of demolition intended to be carried out.  The application form helps with providing this information.

Additionally, it is the duty of a person giving such a notice to a local authority to send or give a copy of it to:

(i) the occupier of any building adjacent to the building
(ii) any public gas supplier in whose authorised area the building is situated
(iii) the public electricity supplier in whose authorised area the building is situated, and any other person authorised by a licence under that part to supply electricity to the building, and,
(iv) the water authority in whose authorised area the building is situated

Demolition notice application form 

Download a Section 80 demolition notice form (Word, 47KB)

An application must be made for each building that is to be demolished. Email the completed form and supporting documents to: hsg-privatehousing@croydon.gov.uk.

Supporting documents 

You need to also include a:

  • method statement
  • scaled site plan (with location)

Where relevant, and if it has not already been addressed through the planning system, you might also need a:

  • demolition management plan
  • contaminated land report
  • construction logistics plan

Fees

A standard charge of £217 per building (VAT is not applicable) needs to accompany all demolition notices received by us. This is to cover administrative and inspection costs.

Payment is to be made by debit or credit card and you will be called to take the payment once you have submitted the correct documents by email.
 

Please note: you will need to submit a separate application and fee for each building that you propose to be demolished.

Fines

Where demolition has started without telling us first, an offence will have been committed. This may result in a fine where action is taken in the magistrates court.  

Notice from the council

After we receive a Section 80 notice, we will issue a counter notice under Section 81 of the Building Control Act 1984 which will detail various conditions which are intended to ensure that the work is carried out safely.

Demolition should not start unless:

(i) we have given a notice under Section 81; or,
(ii) six weeks has elapsed since the Section 80 notice was made to us

You will need to work with us to ensure you are complaint with any permissions and pre-commencement planning conditions. When giving approval for the demolition to take place we will require the owner/contractor to adhere to certain conditions, including:

  • adequate shoring, repair, and weather proofing of adjacent buildings
  • removal of material or rubbish and disconnection, removal or sealing of drainage
  • the disconnection of gas, electricity and water supplies
  • the burning of materials on site in a controlled manner

Other permissions

You may also need permission under the Town and Country Planning Acts for your scheme. If the building is listed, or in a conservation area, special consent may be needed for any demolition work proposed, even where notice is not needed under Section 80 of the Building Act 1984.

For more information, visit the Planning Team website or email Development.Management@croydon.gov.uk.

Notification is required under the Building Act regardless of whether planning permission has been granted and pre-commencement conditions satisfied.

For more information about demolitions

Contact the Private Sector Housing Team:

Telephone: 020 8760 5476 (direct number with answer phone)
Email: hsg-privatehousing@croydon.gov.uk