Ross Drysdale, 73, constructed the sheltered walkway at his Christchurch bungalow in October 2024, aiming to provide his wife, Victoria, with greater independence following a severe stroke. Mr Drysdale was informed by a building inspector that the structure conformed with Building Regulations, but did not secure planning permission.
In the greatest city in the world, we should not accept darkened sidewalks and covered walkways as a fact of life. The mayor's office said crews have already removed or are in the process of dismantling about 2,800 linear feet of sidewalk sheds across multiple Highbridge Gardens buildings, with $14.4 million in state funding covering facade repairs there.
Conservation area regulations aren't on the same level as those for Listed Buildings; however, they are still much stricter than in the average home. The most common legal consideration to make is understanding Article 4 Directions. Article 4 can essentially strip away your 'Permitted Development' rights, meaning you need full blown planning permission, even for minor changes, like front doors.
Unlike planning drawings that focus on external appearance and planning policy, building regulation drawings dive deep into the technical specifications-showing construction methods, materials, structural elements, insulation values, ventilation strategies, and safety features. These drawings serve as your blueprint for compliance, providing Building Control officers with the information they need to assess whether your project meets the legal requirements for structural stability, fire safety, energy efficiency, accessibility, and overall construction quality.
Most did not survive. It's an easy problem to fix, according to Michael Mesure, executive director of Fatal Light Awareness Program (FLAP). But a lack of incentive means few make the changes required, he told CBC Toronto. During a bird-patrol outing in Markham on Wednesday, Mesure found 20 birds around just one building in Markham. He gingerly placed the only survivor of the bunch in a paper bag with plans to take it to a rehabilitation centre.
The Adams administration wants to expand the Health Department's capacity to inspect cooling towers atop buildings after an outbreak in Harlem-stemming from bacteria found in towers at two city-run properties-killed seven people. Mayor Eric Adams wants to expand the city's capacity to inspect buildings for Legionnaires' disease, and strengthen penalties for property owners who fail to comply with cooling tower regulations, after an outbreak in Harlem killed seven people this summer and sickened more than a hundred others.
A planning inspector stated that Rose and Chris Murray should not be denied retention for their house built without permission solely due to density concerns, noting that similar developments have received permission in the area.
This is a significant step forward in speeding up the removal of dangerous cladding in London, which had been far too slow under the previous Government.
