The authority monitors construction activities to minimise pollution caused by noise, dust and other nuisances.

Construction sites are in the open and are often near existing residential accommodation. Residents will in general accept construction site noise but will complain if work starts early or finishes late or if it takes place on a Saturday afternoon, Sundays or Bank Holidays. Complaints about noise from construction sites are investigated by our Environmental Protection staff.

If you are intending to carry out construction works, please notify us.

For construction works, the following advice should be considered as part of pre-planning:

• Give the Council at least 6 weeks notice of construction work prior to commencement. The Council may impose some conditions about how the work should be done
• Send a letter to the neighbours before the work starts, telling them about the work and what to expect
• Give the neighbours a contact name and telephone number and keep them informed of the progress of your works
• Respond and deal properly with complaints received on site

Dust

Keep dust down by spraying with water when and where you can.

Noise

The Council normally restricts the hours of operation heavy plant and machinery of major demolition and construction works within residential locations to between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday and 8:30am and 1pm on Saturday with no such works carried out on Sunday or Bank Holidays.

Exceptions to the above hours are considered on their merits such as emergencies and essential works where it is not practical for them to be carried out at any other time.

Particularly noisy operations, for example pile driving which may need more stringent controls. Pumps and generators should not be left running overnight if they can be heard outside the site.

If you are a householder doing some or all of the work yourself, try to avoid causing any noise or dust in the evenings or on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

If noise problems occur, the Council and your neighbours can take legal action. If you think that your work may cause a significant nuisance to your neighbours from noise or vibration, you should apply for prior consent to the Council who will allow a certain level of noise to occur at reasonable times.

• Do not let vehicles or materials block or damage the pavements
• Do not leave obstacles, holes or trenches where they are a danger, especially to disabled people (e.g. the blind)
• The Council may charge you for any damage caused to pavements, kerbs or verges by lorries or heavy plant

You should contact us using the details above. Alternatively fill in the online form link to online form to apply in advance for consent to carry out construction works.