GUIDELINES FOR BUILDERS & DEVELOPERS

Introduction

These guidelines have been drawn up by Environmental Health to help you to understand, from the outset, the controls and expectations placed on you by the Council. They will help to protect the environment and people living and working on the Island from the noise, smoke, dust and other environmental issues, which can arise from building works.

We will not interfere in works carried out in a reasonable manner in accordance with these guidelines. We realise that by the very nature of the work some disturbance is inevitable. However, should you fail to adopt the best methods of reducing any problems or create a nuisance through noise, smoke, dust or in any other way whilst working on site, the Council may take formal action against you.

This could lead to restrictions on your times and methods of working causing delays and even prosecution leading to a fine of up to £20,000.

Controlling the Effects of Demolition or Building Works

NOISE

We understand that carrying out any demolition, engineering or construction work, will involve a certain amount of noise.
However, please note that under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, the Council may choose to specify hours of work for demolition or construction works. We will normally only do this if the noise of the works appear to, or has the potential to have a detrimental affect on neighbouring properties. The hours specified under such a notice varies from day to day and depends on how close your site is to other people.

Typical permitted hours are: -

Monday to Friday 08:00 to 18:00 hours
Saturday 08:00 to 16:00 hours

With no noisy working permitted on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

SMOKE

The Environment Agency is an organisation not connected with the council but having responsibility for controlling waste disposal. Sometimes the Agency will give permission for burning waste on site but this is always on condition that a smoke nuisance is not caused. A site bonfire always has the potential to cause nuisance so great care should be taken, even after the Environment Agency have given permission.

With any site in close proximity to residential or business properties it is almost impossible to have a bonfire without causing a nuisance. Therefore you are strongly advised against all burning on site. Despite this advise, if you still decide to proceed with having a bonfire on site, please take the following precautions:

♦ Ensure the material to be burnt is dry and does not contain any plastic, rubber, painted or treated timbers
♦ Avoid lighting a fire in unsuitable weather conditions- e.g. damp still days
♦ Carefully site the fire to consider wind direction to avoid smoke being blown into peoples premises or gardens
♦ Avoid burning at weekends and on bank holidays
♦ Never leave bonfires unattended or to smoulder

Also, be aware that legal action may be taken if you cause a nuisance or if you create “dark smoke”. Dark smoke is regarded as particularly serious because it usually indicates that the material being burnt is giving rise to highly toxic pollution. To prevent this occurring we would advise you never to burn anything on site other than vegetation and woody materials. Burning materials such as tyres, oil, plastics, any treated woods (including window frames) or chipboard may give rise to dark smoke and will certainly allow considerable amount of toxic chemicals into the air.

DUST

Dust from certain operations may be prejudicial to health. Along with a duty to prevent dust nuisance you have a general duty under the Health and Safety at Work act to ensure you do not put anyone at risk from work activities. Consider the method of work and how you might be able to control any dust. Ensure that all dusty material cutting e.g. concrete cutting saws use suitable controls e.g. wet cutting or Local Exhaust Ventilation, the use of screens and damping down is also often effective.

If you intend to store or move dusty/ aggregate materials or waste on the site,

♦ keep the materials well damped down (to prevent “wind whipping”
♦ try to keep the materials as far away from residential or business properties bearing in mind the direction of the prevalent winds and use screens whenever necessary.

ASBESTOS

Where demolition of existing buildings and structures are to take place, the site should be assessed for any asbestos materials prior to any work taking place. Any asbestos must be removed and disposed of in accordance with the Asbestos at Work Regulations and approved code of practice. The Council will expect the developer to ensure that suitably licensed and experienced contractors are used for the removal of asbestos and that the safety of the public and the environment will be ensured.

Please note that demolition work lasting more than 30 days or involve more than 500 person days must be notified to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In any event it must be carried out in accordance with the Construction Design and Management Regulations 1994. Contact details for the HSE are:

Telephone: 01256-404000

Contact Details

Environmental Health
Jubilee Stores
The Quay
Newport
Isle of Wight PO30 2EH

Telephone: 01983-823000
Facsimile: 01983-529804

E-mail: [email protected]

Personal visit to the above address during normal office hours which are:

Monday to Thursday, 08:30am to 05:00pm
Friday 08:30am to 04:30pm

©Isle of Wight Council, Feb 2005

Page last updated on: 21/08/2007