FOI: 36422917 Responsibility for construction sites
There are several departments that are involved in construction sites. They seem to 
operate as silos, without anyone appearing to have overall responsibility for how a 
construction site is managed with regard to submitted and approved plans. 
The departments are: Planning, Planning Enforcement, Environmental Protection and 
Highways. There appears to be no person able to coordinate, or have an influence on 
ensuring compliance with the planning decisions made. Frequently Highways permit road 
and pavement closures which are not featured in any of the submitted and approved 
plans. 
Which Officer within Tower Hamlets has control and is able to coordinate, over all the 
departments mentioned such that faith can be restored that the council is competent in 
controlling construction site activity? 
RESPONSE
There are no statutory requirements for local authorities to manage private sector 
construction sites within their area.
However, certain activities associated with construction may require a license or an 
application to the local authority, for example erection of hoardings on the public highway 
or temporary road closures.
Local authorities also have discretionary powers available to them under different 
legislative regimes that they may use if expedient and in the public interest, including the 
Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Control of Pollution Act 1974.
In the context of the scale and amount of construction activity taking place in certain parts 
of Tower Hamlets, the Council has established a Development Coordination Team and is 
currently reviewing the Code of Construction Practice, with an objective to introduce a 
new approach to monitoring of construction sites. 
 

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