From disused factories to abandoned homes, it’s estimated that there are up to a million vacant buildings across the UK. With land in short supply and the ongoing housing crisis showing no signs of slowing, it’s difficult to understand why such buildings are allowed to sit empty. Surely it would be better to demolish them and put the land to better use by creating new commercial and housing developments?
However, in reality, the situation is a lot more complicated, and the demolition of a building comes with its own complications, some of which the team here at Hill Demolition has listed below.
Cost
Perhaps the biggest reason why abandoned buildings aren’t demolished is due to the sheer cost involved. Demolitions can vary wildly in price depending on a number of factors – you can read our previous article on the subject here – but that’s not the only cost you’ll have to consider. There’s also the expense of clearing the debris, the specialist removal of any hazardous materials and the associated legal and administrative fees. Sometimes, during an economic downturn, the owner might also want to wait for an opportunity for the land to increase in price.
Hazardous materials
Many older buildings, especially those built before the 1990s, will contain hazards, such as lead paint, mould and asbestos. As these materials can be harmful to human health, they can’t just be handled like normal waste; instead, they must be disposed of in the proper way by specialist contractors. At Hill Demolition, we offer an affordable asbestos removal service to help with this.
Legal issues
If a building has been left neglected, there may be some confusion over who the owner is, especially if it’s been abandoned for decades or the company or person who owned it has gone bankrupt. In such cases, there may be a complicated legal process to determine who has the right to demolish it, and if this drags on, then the cost of any demolition might rise as the building deteriorates further.
Historical value
Not every demolition is easy to arrange; if a building is deemed to have special historical or architectural significance, then the process can be slowed down or blocked altogether by mountains of additional paperwork and red tape. In such cases, preservation is usually the preferred option, or you’ll need to apply for Listed Building Consent to justify the need for demolition – check out this previous article for more information.
When is demolition recommended?
Despite the challenges you might face along the way, there are certain scenarios where demolition is the only viable option, such as:
- If the building has sustained severe damage in unforeseen circumstances, such as a flood or fire
- If the foundations are no longer structurally sound
- If the building is old, deteriorating and no longer able to meet modern safety standards
- If the building is in the way of a redevelopment opportunity
In most of the above cases, you will still need to obtain planning permission from your local council before any work can begin.
However, back in 2020, a series of changes were made to planning laws in an attempt to address the UK’s housing crisis. Class ZA of the General Permitted Development Order essentially allows for certain vacant residential buildings to be demolished without planning permission to make way for new residential housing. This is only possible if strict conditions are met, including:
- The original building must have been constructed before 1990
- It must have been vacant for at least six months before application
- The new building must not exceed the footprint of the original building
- The new building must not be more than 18 metres high
- The site must not be located within a conservation area or any other protected location.