Building Demolition

If you decide to demolish a building, even one which has suffered fire or storm damage, it does not automatically follow that you will get planning permission to build a replacement.

Listed buildings and buildings in conservation areas.   

You do not need to make a planning application to demolish a listed building or to demolish a building in a conservation area. However, you may need listed building or conservation area consent.

Elsewhere

You will not need to apply for planning permission:

• to demolish a building such as a garage or shed of less than 50 cubic metres; or
• if the demolition is urgently necessary for health and safety reasons; or
• if the demolition is required under other legislation; or
• where the demolition is on land which has been given planning permission for redevelopment; or

In all other cases, such as demolishing a house or block of flats, the council may wish to agree the details of how you intend to carry out the demolition and how you propose to restore the site afterwards. You will need to apply for a formal decision on whether the council wishes to approve these details. This is called a "prior approval application" and your council will be able to explain what it involves.