Public Protection
The partnership on behalf of its partner authorities (Canterbury City Council, Gravesham Borough Council, Medway Council and Swale Borough Council) has a general duty to enforce the Building Regulations in its area, to protect the public in and around buildings, and will seek to do so by informal means wherever possible.
Unauthorised Works
Where building work is carried out without complying with the requirements of the Building Regulations it is known as a contravention.
Report unauthorised work:
Click on Contact Us or email us at building@stgbc.org.uk to report any unauthorised building work.
Please ensure you provide sufficient information regarding the exact property address and works being undertaken.
Dangerous Structure
Where the Council has been informed about a potentially dangerous building or structure, a building control surveyor will inspect (where possible and safe to do so) the reported building or structure, within 4 hours, and where possible the owner and occupiers of the premises will be informed.
Depending on the outcome of the building surveyors' inspection, the partnership will determine what action is required, ranging from further regular inspections to, in some cases, the emergency partial or full demolition.
The Council can:
- order the owner(s) to `make safe' or remove the danger (the Building Act 1984, Sections 77 and 78)
- the Council can reclaim all its costs from the buildings' owner(s)
To notify the partnership of a dangerous building or structure please use the form at the bottom of the page or call:
- During office hours - 01634 331133 Monday to Thursday 08.30am to 5.15pm
or Friday 8.30am to 4.45pm
Weekends & Bank Holidays CLOSED
- Out of office hours -
(Canterbury, Gravesham, Medway and Swale areas) - 01634 304400
Demolition Notices
Where an owner wishes to demolish any building or part of a building, in excess of 50 cubic metres, they need to submit a Demolition form, under Section 80 of the Building Act 1984, at least 6 weeks prior to commencing the demolition. Demolition works should not start until either the 6 weeks have elapsed or we serve a Notice under Section 81 of the Act.
To notify us of a demolition, please email the following details to building@stgbc.org.uk
- Demolition form
- a 1:1250 location plan clearly indicating the buildings to be demolished, all adjacent properties and existing drainage systems to be sealed
- a copy of the method statement indicating safe methods of demolition
Note: a fee of £250.00 is applicable - Please confirm in your email who we should contact to collect this fee.
Do not forget The Party Wall etc Act 1996 as this may also apply. You may need to give separate notification under the Act to adjoining owners. Building Control does not get involved in Party Wall issues.