Details of the demolition of the old Greater Brighton Metropolitan College buildings can be found in the Demolition Environmental Management plan, submitted to Brighton & Hove City Council on 14 May 2021 to meet a planning requirement imposed under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. It is important to consider the potential negative effects that demolition can have on the surrounding local community, which is why the City Council probably have required this document as part of granting planning. The developer, Osborne, should act both environmentally and socially responsible during the demolition and throughout the period of works.

Demolition of the pre-existing buildings on site commenced in May 2021 and was completed in December 2021. Demolition was carried out by subcontractor Goody Demolition. During the demolition phase, potential dust pollution is at its greatest. Dust affects both the site and local area and can pose a serious harm to health. Different types of dust can be kicked up into the air: silica dust from ‘silica-containing’ materials such as concrete and mortar; wood dust; and other dusts from the likes of gypsum plasterboard     (Health and Safety Executive, 2020). All these would be present during the demolition on Pelham Street. To avoid dust becoming airborne, Goody dampened down ‘areas of demolition, stock piles and the crushing machine’ using a dust suppression unit (motofog multidirectional water spray).

The Demolition Environmental Management plan also outlines other risks to the environment that the demolition faced. To reduce carbon emissions, Osborne and Goody committed to using eco-cabins for site offices, using the most efficient plant machinery also fitted with catalytic converters, putting the site onto mains electricity as soon as possible. Fuel bowsers and plant were and are inspected daily. There is a ‘Pollution Incident Control Plan’ in place and plant nappies and drip trays are used to capture drips and spills from plant refuelling and maintenance. These measures are aimed at reducing ground and water pollution through contaminants such as oil.

Good Demolition & Osborne (2021) Demolition Environmental Management Plan. Available at: BH2020_00550-_DRAFT__DEMP-16212660.pdf (brighton-hove.gov.uk) (Accessed: 6 April 2022).

Health and Safety Executive (2020) Construction Dust. Available at: Construction dust (hse.gov.uk) (Accessed: 6 April 2022).