If you plan to demolish a building, you must check if you need planning approval first. You need approval if the building is in a conversation area or is a listed building, or is being demolished before full planning permission is granted for redevelopment.
If the building or part of the building larger than 50m³ (1750 cubic feet), you must give us notice in writing at least six weeks before you begin work.
You must also:
- submit a comprehensive block plan with the demolition notice (find approved building regulations documents at the planning portal)
- notify your neighbours (any adjoining or nearby properties)
- notify the gas and electricity providers
Changes to planning procedure
Until March 2011 it was only necessary to seek prior approval for the demolition of a building that either comprised a dwelling, or was attached to a dwelling, to leave a cleared site. That approval was in addition to any other consent, such as conservation area consent or listed building consent.
Following a decision of the Court of Appeal paragraphs 2(1)(a) to (d) of the Town and Country Planning (Demolition – Description of Buildings) Direction 1995, contained in DoE Circular 10/95 have been quashed.
This means that the demolition of any building prior to the grant of planning permission for redevelopment (and, if necessary, conservation area consent or listed building consent) must now be the subject of an application to the planning service in accordance with the provisions of Part 31 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 to check whether prior approval of the method of demolition would be required.
Demolition work also come within the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive. Where demolition works are likely to have significant effects on the environment the Planning Service must issue a screening opinion on whether an environmental impact assessment is required.
For developers
If you intend to demolish a building falling within one of these categories as a separate project, you must apply to the planning service for a determination as to whether they will require prior approval for the method of demolition. This will be in addition to any other consent required for demolition (such as for heritage properties).
Contact us
For more information, visit BCP website. You can contact us on 01329 824823 or at bcpartnership@fareham.gov.uk.