Construction code of practice for developers and contractors in Central Bedfordshire
New development
Much new development in Central Bedfordshire takes place in and around villages and small towns and most developers have a commitment to be good neighbours. However, there is potential for adverse impacts on local people during construction through disturbance, noise, dust or inconvenience and extra traffic during the work. The objective of this code is to minimise that disruption.
The aim of the code of practice
The aim of the code of practice is to set out our expectations to developers and their contractors to ensure that they undertake their works following agreed guidelines and thereby minimise impact on local communities. It is additional to and does not substitute any relevant statutory requirements in the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (including measures on noise and environmental nuisance) and other relevant legislation.
Find out how to complain about commercial pollution.
In most cases, compliance with the code will remove the need for planning conditions requiring construction management plans.
Policy
The code of practice is an adopted policy published by us and promoted by planning officers as part of pre-application discussions, planning performance agreements and during the consideration of planning applications. Developers are required to confirm that they agree to comply with the code by entering a S.106 planning obligation. Reports to the Development Management Committee will now confirm the agreement or otherwise of the applicant to comply with the code and include details of any past instances of non-compliance with the code by the developer. Our compliance officers play the main role in monitoring performance.
Breaches of the code
The code requires developers to provide our compliance officers with the name and number for the site supervisor prior to works commencing.
Email: planning.compliance@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Where an affected resident has been unable to resolve a matter directly with the developer, our planning compliance officers are the point of contact to whom any breach of the code of practice should be reported. The compliance officer will then liaise with the developer or site supervisor (probably the latter) in an attempt to resolve the issue. Whilst it is envisaged that most issues will be resolved informally, where breach of the code persists, we will collate evidence for sharing with elected members and/or for the consideration of formal action. Where they are willing to do so, developers are encouraged to display the site supervisor details on the application site.
Householders
The code does not apply to householder developments.