The government has issued guidance about the extension of construction working hours on some sites.
Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) recognises the intent of the ministerial statement and the strong presumption that we agree a short-term increase in working hours, however most of the building sites in Mole Valley are in close proximity to residential properties. The underlying legislation controlling construction sites, The Control of Pollution Act, has not changed and it is important therefore that any extension to operating hours supports social distancing and has controls in place to identify, limit and mitigate noisy working hours.
A developer wishing to work extended hours should contact the Council to discuss their reasons for making the request, and the proposals in their Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP) to mitigate the impact on neighbouring properties.
Whilst temporary changes to construction working hours will be considered, this will include a limit on when noisy activities can be carried out. Below is an example of one agreement, however these will vary depending on the location and nature of the work.
Noisy Work
Noisy work examples: use of angle grinders, concrete breakers, diggers, dumper trucks and cement mixers.
- Monday - Friday, 8am - 6pm
- Saturday, 8am - 1pm
- Sunday - no work
No construction work or deliveries to site before 7.30am.
Non-noisy Work
Non-noisy work may include limited use of mobile plant such as dumper trucks, diggers and cement mixers - but only for transporting materials to the work site.
- Monday - Friday, 7.30am - 8am and 6 - 8pm
- Saturday, 1 - 8pm
- Sunday - no work
Radios
Please ensure the use of radios is moderated during normal working hours and there is no use of radios at all in the non-noisy work period.
Requirements for Formal Permission
Where there are modest or short-term changes to construction working hours, these may be agreed informally MVDC. Email planning@molevalley.gov.uk.
Where long or more significant changes to working hours are required, a formal application may be requested. It will be important for applicants to consider potential impacts and where necessary, to put forward plans to manage concerns, drawing on existing good practice. An application should include an updated CEMP detailing, but not limited to:
- The type of work to be carried out and the likely noise impacts
- The estimated numbers of workers on site.
- The location where work will be carried out
- Types of noisy work that will be avoided in the extended hours of operation
- The location on site of noisy mobile and vehicular plant such as generators and cement mixers
- Proposed mitigation measures
- Complaint management, contact details of the site manager and main office
MVDC will be supportive of reasonable requests. Once we have received all the necessary information, a decision will be issued and where possible, this will be within 10 days.
In making our decision, MVDC will have regard to where there may be unreasonable impacts. We may reject proposals where there are very compelling reasons such as significant impact on neighbouring businesses or uses, such as care homes, which are particularly sensitive to noise, dust or vibration, which cannot be overcome through other mitigation, or where impacts on densely populated areas would be unreasonable.
In all other cases, in the first instance all enquiries should be made to: env.health@molevalley.gov.uk