Control of Pollution Act 1974

61 Prior consent for work on construction sites.E+W+S

(1)A person who intends to carry out works to which the preceding section applies may apply to the local authority for a consent under this section.

(2)Where approval under building regulations [F1under Part II of the M1Public Health Act 1936], or in Scotland a [F2building warrant] under [F3section 9] of the Building (Scotland) Act [F42003 (asp 8)], is required for the carrying out of the works, the application under this section must be made at the same time as, or later than, the request for the approval under building regulations or, as the case may be, the application for a [F2building warrant] under the said Act of [F52003].

(3)An application under this section shall contain particulars of—

(a)the works, and the method by which they are to be carried out; and

(b)the steps proposed to be taken to minimise noise resulting from the works.

(4)If the local authority considers that the application contains sufficient information for the purpose and that, if the works are carried out in accordance with the application, it would not serve a notice under the preceding section in respect of those works, the local authority shall give its consent to the application.

(5)In acting under this section a local authority shall have regard to the considerations set out in subsection (4) of the preceding section and shall have power to—

(a)Attach any conditions to a consent; and

(b)limit or qualify a consent to allow for any change in circumstances; and

(c)limit the duration of a consent,

and any person who knowingly carries out the works, or permits the works to be carried out, in contravention of any conditions attached to a consent under this section shall be guilty of an offence against this Part of this Act.

(6)The local authority shall inform the applicant of its decision on the application within twenty-eight days from receipt of the application; and if the local authority gives its consent to the application it may if it thinks fit publish notice of the consent, and of the works to which it relates, in such way as appears to the local authority to be appropriate.

(7)If—

(a)the local authority does not give a consent within the said period of twenty-eight days; or

(b)the local authority gives its consent within the said period of twenty-eight days but attaches any condition to the consent or limits or qualifies the consent in any way,

the applicant may appeal to a magistrates’ court within twenty-one days from the end of that period.

(8)In any proceedings for an offence under section 60(8) of this Act it shall be a defence to prove that the alleged contravention amounted to the carrying out of the works in accordance with a consent given under this section.

(9)A consent given under this section shall contain a statement to the effect that the consent does not of itself constitute any ground of defence against any proceedings instituted under . . . F6[F7section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990].

(10)Where a consent has been given under this section and the works are carried out by a person other than the applicant for the consent, it shall be the duty of the applicant to take all reasonable steps to bring the consent to the notice of that other person; and if he fails to comply with this subsection he shall be guilty of an offence against this Part of this Act.

Textual Amendments

F1Words repealed (E.W.) by Building Act 1984 (c. 55, SIF 15), s. 133(2), Sch. 7

F2Words in s. 61(2) substituted (S.) (1.5.2005) by Building (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 8), s. 59(1), Sch. 6 para. 10(a) (with s. 53); S.S.I. 2004/404, art. 2(1)

F3Words in s. 61(2) substituted (S.) (1.5.2005) by Building (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 8), s. 59(1), Sch. 6 para. 10(b) (with s. 53); S.S.I. 2004/404, art. 2(1)

F4Words in s. 61(2) substituted (S.) (1.5.2005) by Building (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 8), s. 59(1), Sch. 6 para. 10(c)(i) (with s. 53); S.S.I. 2004/404, art. 2(1)

F5Word in s. 61(2) substituted (S.) (1.5.2005) by Building (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 8), s. 59(1), Sch. 6 para. 10(c)(ii) (with s. 53); S.S.I. 2004/404, art. 2(1)

F6Words in s. 61(9) repealed (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(3), Sch. 24 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

F7Words inserted by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), s. 162(1), Sch. 15 para. 15(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 61 modified (9.11.2001) by S.I. 2001/3682, art. 32

C2S. 61 modified (18.7.2001) by S.I. 2001/2870, art. 21

C3S. 61 modified (18.12.1996) by 1996 c. 61, s. 29