Construction working hours

On 13 May 2020, the government published a ministerial statement on planning and construction working hours. This statement allows Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to approve requests to extend construction working hours to 9PM Monday to Saturday. This is a temporary measure to ensure safe working in line with social distancing guidelines.

The expectations are that the local planning authority will:

• Approved requests, unless there are compelling reasons against
• Agree modest or short-term changes informally
• Use discretion not to enforce violations
• Issue decisions within ten days
• Object only if there is a significant impact on businesses or uses (for example, care homes) and only if noise, vibration, dust cannot be overcome by mitigation.

Requests to extend working hours should be submitted using the online contact form via the button below.

You will need to also include the following: 

• site in question
• dates, times, and activities proposed 
• site manager’s name and contact details

We also expect developers to write to all local residents near and around the site, notifying them of the dates and times of the agreed hours of work and the activities they will be carrying out within those hours. The notification should also include their site manager’s name and mobile number, so that issues can be addressed immediately. 

• We will aim to informally agree to modest or short-term changes* to construction working hours
• We will use our discretion to avoid enforcing unless there is a clear and adverse impact** on the living conditions of adjoining residents
• Where an express planning condition is in place or the proposal is for more significant changes to working hours, we may request a formal application
• Proposals for extended working hours will normally be agreed unless there are very strong reasons against this, such as significant impact on neighbouring houses, businesses and or care homes.
• We will notify the local ward councillor(s) of any submitted requests
• We will issue a decision within 10 days
• In accordance with the ministerial statement, extended hours will not normally be agreed to beyond 13 May 2021.

*a short term period to allow construction sites to proceed would be no longer than 12 weeks.

**There should be no heavy machinery, ground working or HGV construction activity occurring before 7.30am or after 6pm (the latter being the existing hours of construction). This will also include no vehicles parking up before these extended times. Beyond these times it should only be non-noise generating activity, for example: bricklayers, plasterers, electricians, painters/decorators. Courtesy by site operatives is paramount. No use of radios and no raised voices outside permitted working hours. No piling will be allowed take place outside of permitted hours and the council will review if significant complaints are received during extended hours working.

Where there is no condition on a your planning permission that limits working hours:

• These requests will be referred to the Environmental Protection Team who will assess and apply controls under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 as required.
  • In this respect, the standard working hours are 8am to 6pm Mon-Fri and 9am to 1pm on Saturday, with no Sunday or Bank Holiday working.

Where there is a specific condition in place relating to operating hours:

• Requests to extend working hours beyond 12 weeks will require a S.73 application to formally vary the condition.
• Extended working hours of less than 12 weeks will be considered on the basis of the principles outlined above.

Where a condition is applied that relates to a Construction and Traffic Management Plan (CTMP):

• The planning case officer will deal with the request as a temporary amendment to the CTMP without a formal change to the condition.
• Requests will be considered on the basis of the principles set out in (3) above.