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Dangerous Structures

Building Control monitors and controls all dangerous structures within the district, under the Building Act 1984, ensuring a building or structure is safe to members of the public.

Dangers can vary from loose rainwater goods or roof coverings as a result of poor maintenance up to a building collapsing as a result of a fire, storm damage or a road traffic accident. However the most common problem is unstable boundary walls.

To report a dangerous structure, you can use our Online Form or for emergencies out of hours, telephone 01993 705056. This is for emergencies only that cannot wait until the next working day.

Alternatively, during office hours, you can contact the Building Control Section.

Procedure

Once we have been notified of a dangerous structure, a surveyor will visit the site as soon as possible.

The surveyor will examine the level of danger and may have the structure demolished or made safe depending on the severity. In an emergency the Council may have to correct the problem. The owner of the building or structure is liable for the cost incurred by the council.

In most cases the owner of the building will be contacted and required to remove the danger at his own cost.

If the structure is considered to be in imminent danger of collapse or part has already collapsed, the building control officer will try to contact the owner of the building or structure to require their urgent action in removing the danger.

We may liaise with the emergency services to close off the danger area, and arrange emergency works with the owner or independently. This may include temporary works such as scaffolding or shoring to make the building safe, until permanent work can be arranged, or the removal of the hazard by more direct means.

Where necessary the council can, using powers contained in Sections 77 and 78 of the Building Act 1984 require the owner of the dangerous structure to make it safe.

If the owner is unavailable, unable or unwilling to arrange for the danger to be removed, the officer will arrange for the minimum action necessary to remove the danger. This action can often involve putting up barriers or fencing to keep people away from the dangerous area until a more permanent solution is found. All actions taken will be confirmed in writing and if available, the owner will be advised of the likely cost involved.

Costs

The owner of any building that becomes dangerous is responsible for all the costs involved in making the building safe. If the Council is unable to contact the owner at the time, and the building needs to be made safe, the Council can carry out the emergency works, and will claim the costs back from the owner.