Under Section 80 of the Building Act 1984, a person intending to carry out demolition works must give the Council at least six weeks’ notice by submitting a Demolition Notice.

Demolition works must not begin until either:

• the Council has issued a Section 81 counter‑notice, or
• the six‑week notice period has expired.

Copies of the Demolition Notice must also be served on:

• the occupier of any building adjacent to the building being demolished
• the gas and/or electricity supplier
• the water and sewerage undertaker

This process ensures that existing services are sealed and made safe, adjoining buildings are appropriately supported and weatherproofed, demolition materials are properly managed and disposed of, and the site is left in a safe condition on completion of the demolition works.

All demolition works must comply with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

Exemptions

The demolition notice requirements under Section 80 of the Building Act 1984 do not apply where:

• the building has a volume of 50 cubic metres or less (measured externally)
• the demolition is limited to an internal part of an occupied building that will remain occupied
• the building is a greenhouse, conservatory, shed or prefabricated garage
• the building is an agricultural building, provided it is not attached to a non‑agricultural building
• the demolition is carried out in accordance with a Demolition Order made under the Housing Act 1985

You should refer to Section 80 of the Building Act 1984 for full details of the exemptions and contact the Council’s Building Control Surveyor for guidance.

How to apply

Please complete the Section 80 Demolition Notice Form and email it to building.control@milton-keynes.gov.uk along with Site location plan at a scale of 1:1250 and a Method statement.

Once received, your application will be processed and acknowledged in writing, along with any initial requirements.

Other Permissions

Planning permission may also be required. Listed buildings and buildings within conservation areas often require additional consent for demolition, regardless of whether a Demolition Notice is needed. Please check with Planning. Building Control cannot advise on planning matters.

Advice for residents affected by demolition works

Building Control does not control or enforce:

• Noise, vibration, dust or pollution, site working hours, general site behaviour or contractor conduct – Environmental Health
• Traffic management, vehicle movements, or blocked public pavements or roads – Highways
• Planning permission or planning breaches – Planning Enforcement
• Land ownership, boundary disputes or party wall matters – Private civil matters
• Unsafe building practices, Health and safety management of contractors – Health and Safety Executive

These matters are dealt with by other services or organisations.

Building Control should be contacted only if demolition works have caused, or are likely to cause, a building or structure to become unsafe or at risk of collapse. (see Dangerous Structures).