Dangerous Structures

It is the Building Control Mangers responsibility to deal with dangerous buildings and structures in the Council's District. Buildings become dangerous for many reasons:-

• age,
• deterioration,
• settlement,
• impact by vehicles,
• explosion or
• fire damage.

Danger can also arise from loose masonry or slates and unstable garden or boundary walls.

The Council operates an emergency service and officers are available 24 hours a day to deal with any situation which may arise.

Working closely with the police and fire authorities, the officer will act upon information received. He will visit the site and take whatever action is necessary, using powers under sections 77 and 78 of the Building Act 1984.

Their action can result in the danger being removed immediately, or the provision of temporary support, the closing of the highway or, if he considers that there is no imminent danger, the owner of the building or structure being served with a notice requiring remedial work being undertaken within a prescribed period (usually 21 days). If the owner fails to comply with the notice within the time permitted, the Council may then apply to the Magistrates Court for an order enforcing the owner to execute the works.

The purpose of this procedure is to safeguard the general public against injury or worse.