Code of Construction Practice

CoCP requirements for nearby residents and stakeholders

The CoCP outlines detailed project specific requirements for engagement with all stakeholders in Chapter 2, this page offers a guide to the main highlights.

The developer’s nominated representative should develop and maintain good relations with the local community by keeping neighbours informed of progress and by responding to complaints quickly, fairly, and effectively.

The CoCP sets a framework for dealing with the impacts of construction and can be backed with legal compliance action by the Council where this is needed. However, the best outcome will be achieved if problems are avoided in the first place or, where they do happen, for them to be resolved at site level quickly, and without the need for external intervention. Effective engagement between those involved with development projects and those living and working in the area is an essential precondition to this kind of constructive approach.

The Council requires early discussions between developers, neighbours and any other parties that may be potentially impacted by their development. These discussions should include details such as the duration of the project, works involved, a point of contact and signposting to further information. Early discussions are likely to identify any site-specific issues early, so that working methods and practices can be tailored to accommodate the needs of neighbours where possible.

Engagement should be carried out after planning permission is granted, before development commences, and throughout the construction process. Engagement will provide neighbours with information about the progress of a project, telling them in good time when works with the potential to cause disruption will take place. Experience shows that engagement is important for all projects no matter their size.

The council also encourages forms of public engagement that go beyond the requirements of this Code and that aim to increase public understanding of the work and processes of the construction sector, particularly for Level 1 sites. These could include for example specific engagement with any local schools or site tours for residents.

Community Relations

The contractor will ensure that all occupiers of nearby properties, local amenity associations and neighbourhood forums and business improvement districts, will be informed in advance of works taking place, including: the start date, estimated duration and nature of the project, the principal stages of the project and contact names/numbers for key site personnel. The extent of the engagement will be dependent on the nature and scale of the project and shall be agreed with the Environmental Sciences and Highways teams.

The developer’s nominated representative will ensure that:

1. Contractor and subcontractor compliance with undertakings and performance against commitments, local agreements and specific community requirements throughout the project is monitored and recorded.
2. For level 1 projects a website/social media channels are maintained and regularly updated
3. A newsletter is produced and distributed at least monthly and at appropriate stages (unless otherwise) to provide: details of site progress, including photographs,
4. A look ahead to the coming weeks advising people in advance of all works and highlighting the ones that are likely to be noisy, dusty, create vibration or traffic disruption.
5. Contact details for the site including out of hours emergency
6. Contact details for people impacted by noise, dust or vibration from the site.
7. Regular community meetings should take place to allow the community to raise issues of concern and enable modification of activities to reduce impact. The frequency of this meetings should be agreed with the Council and the community;
8. Emergencies, complaints or other contacts made via the ‘Hotline’ or any other recognised means are responded to quickly and effectively, with feedback given about the action taken;
9. There is close liaison with the emergency services, local authority officers and other agencies (based on established contacts) who may be involved in incidents or emergency situations;
10. There is effective liaison and engagement with appropriate local community projects and initiatives (required for Level 1 projects only, but good practice for all other projects);
11. A comprehensive community emergency plan is put in place for each phase of the work. This will ensure that in the case of a major emergency, the community can be kept fully informed and will ensure that adequate arrangements are in place; and
12. A ‘contact board’ is displayed outside the site identifying key personnel (with contact addresses, telephone numbers and email address) and emergency contact details so that members of the public know who to contact in the event of a report or query. Additional information should include display up‐to‐date information on the site programme and include start and finish dates. 

How do I make a complaint about noise or vibration?

All noise complaints to the council should be made via MyWestminster or by telephone: 020 7641 2000.

Please note that priority is given to investigating complaints about sites operating outside normal working hours.

Normal working hours are:

• Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
• Saturday, 8am to 1pm

Sunday and bank holidays are considered outside normal working hours.

All CoCP construction sites are required to inform the Council when they receive complaints from members of the public.