RBKC SCMP & Code of Construction Practice Guide

What is the RBKC Code of Construction Practice?

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s Code of Construction Practice sets out the standards, controls and management measures expected on construction sites across the borough. It covers matters including site management, neighbour liaison, construction traffic, working hours, noise and vibration, dust and air quality, and compliance monitoring.

The Code applies different requirements according to the likely impact of the works. Sites are categorised as Category 1, Category 2 or Category 3, with Category 1 developments having the greatest potential construction impact and Category 3 the lowest. The final site category is determined by the Council’s Construction Management Team.

Which Projects are Category 1, Category 2 or Category 3?

RBKC categorises construction sites according to the likely scale and impact of the works. The category is based on factors including the nature of the development, construction activities and plant, project duration, surrounding land uses and the proximity of sensitive neighbours. The final category is determined by the Council’s Construction Management Team.

Category 1 Projects

Category 1 is the highest-impact category. Typical indicators include major development, full demolition and reconstruction, basement excavation or extension, significant piling or concrete-breaking works, long project durations, shared party walls, sensitive neighbouring uses or several other major construction sites nearby.

Category 2 Projects

Category 2 generally covers medium-impact projects such as partial demolition, residential or commercial extensions and smaller basement works, including minor basement extensions where the estimated excavated material is less than 50 cubic metres. The assessment also takes account of the proposed construction methods, programme and surrounding residential environment.

Category 3 Projects

Category 3 is the lowest-impact category and typically includes internal refurbishment and cosmetic external works of relatively short duration, where construction activities are mainly non-structural and limited in their potential effect on neighbouring properties.

What Documents are Required for Each Category?

Category 1

Category 1 projects must submit a Site Construction Management Plan (SCMP), the signed Appendix A Code of Construction Practice checklist, a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) and a Section 61 Prior Consent application before works commence.

Category 2

Category 2 projects must submit an SCMP and signed Appendix A checklist. A CTMP may also be required depending on the site circumstances. A Section 61 application must be considered; where one is not submitted, the Council may serve a Section 60 Notice.

Category 3

Category 3 projects do not normally require an SCMP, Appendix A checklist or CTMP, although the requirements and best-practice measures within the Code of Construction Practice should still be implemented. The Council may also serve a Section 60 Notice where necessary.

What is an RBKC Site Construction Management Plan?

Checklist A accompanies Level 1 and Level 2 SEMP submissions. It identifies the information Westminster expects to be addressed and confirms the developer’s commitment to comply with the Code of Construction Practice.

The checklist covers matters including general site information, programme and methodology, neighbourhood liaison, traffic and highways management, sensitive receptors, noise and vibration, dust and air quality, environmental monitoring, waste management and Section 61 Prior Consent.

Appendix A – Code of Construction Practice Checklist

For Category 1 and Category 2 projects, the signed Appendix A checklist must be submitted alongside the Site Construction Management Plan. It confirms that the owner/developer has read and understood the Code of Construction Practice and agrees to provide the required information and comply with the approved construction-management controls.

The checklist covers the key information expected within the SCMP, including the site plan, neighbour consultation, liaison with nearby sites, working hours, programme and methodology, site arrangements, licences, noise and vibration mitigation, dust and air-quality measures and confirmation of Considerate Constructors Scheme requirements. For Category 1 projects, it also confirms that a Section 61 Prior Consent application will be provided.

What Information Must an RBKC SCMP Include?

The RBKC SCMP should set out the principal management and environmental arrangements for the construction phase. The required level of detail will depend on the nature and scale of the works, but the Council’s template expects information on the construction programme, working hours, demolition and construction methodology, site layout and storage arrangements, licences, neighbour consultation, liaison with nearby sites, noise and vibration mitigation, dust and air-quality controls and any monitoring arrangements.

Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP)

A Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) is required for all Category 1 sites and may also be required for Category 2 sites where the development or surrounding highway conditions warrant one. For basement development, RBKC requires a draft CTMP with the planning application and a final approved CTMP before works commence.

The CTMP deals with construction traffic and highway matters separately from the SCMP, including vehicle access and egress, delivery and collection arrangements, loading, parking suspensions, highway licences, traffic-sensitive routes and measures to minimise disruption to surrounding streets and residents.

Neighbour and Community Liaison

Neighbour liaison is a core part of the RBKC Code of Construction Practice. For Category 1 and Category 2 projects, developers and contractors are expected to engage with neighbouring occupiers before works begin and to maintain communication throughout the construction period.

The SCMP should explain how neighbours will be informed about the nature and duration of the works, working hours, potentially disruptive activities, mitigation measures and site contact arrangements. Depending on the scale of the project, this may include letter drops, meetings, dedicated contact details, regular updates and liaison with nearby construction sites to manage cumulative impacts.

Noise and Vibration

Noise and vibration controls form an important part of the RBKC Code of Construction Practice. The Council requires Best Practicable Means to be used to minimise construction noise, and the SCMP should identify the principal noisy activities, proposed plant and equipment, mitigation measures and any monitoring arrangements that will apply to the works.

For Category 1 sites, noise monitoring is normally required unless otherwise agreed with the Construction Management Team, and a Section 61 Prior Consent application must be submitted. For Category 2 sites, noise monitoring and Section 61 should be considered according to the nature and impact of the works; where Section 61 is not submitted, the Council may instead serve a Section 60 Notice.

Dust and Air Quality

Dust and air-quality controls are a core part of the RBKC Code of Construction Practice. The SCMP should explain how dust and construction emissions will be assessed, controlled, monitored and reported, with the level of detail depending on the nature of the works and whether the project is Category 1 or Category 2.

The Council expects all practicable measures to be used to prevent dust and air pollution, including appropriate suppression, covered skips and stockpiles, good housekeeping, no-idling controls and suitable arrangements for monitoring where required. Major and strategic developments must also follow the Mayor of London guidance on controlling dust and emissions during construction and demolition.

Waste and Materials

RBKC’s permitted hours for noisy construction work that can be heard at the site boundary are 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, with no noisy work permitted on Saturdays, Sundays or Public Holidays. The collection of construction and demolition waste and concrete deliveries are also treated as noisy site activities and must comply with the applicable permitted hours.

High Impact Activities, including demolition, ground-breaking and excavation using percussive equipment, percussive piling and pile reduction, are subject to more restricted hours of 9am to 12 noon and 2pm to 5.30pm Monday to Friday. Any alternative arrangements need to be discussed and agreed with the Council where applicable.

Construction Bond and Council Monitoring

For Category 1 and Category 2 projects that are subject to the relevant planning condition, RBKC requires a Construction Bond to cover the cost of Council monitoring during the works. The bond is paid before works commence and is used to fund activities such as officer site visits, audits, meetings and other monitoring associated with compliance with the Code of Construction Practice.

The Council’s Construction Management Team monitors whether the approved SCMP, checklist and other construction-management controls are being followed. Any unused balance from the bond is repaid at the end of the project after the Council’s monitoring costs have been deducted.

RBKC Neighbour Consultation Requirements

For Category 1 and Category 2 projects, RBKC expects developers and contractors to engage with neighbouring occupiers before works begin and to continue liaison throughout the construction period. The extent of consultation should reflect the scale and impact of the project and the number and sensitivity of surrounding properties.

The Council’s Code of Construction Practice requires neighbours to be given suitable advance information about the start and duration of the works, working hours, potentially disruptive activities, mitigation measures and appropriate site contact details. For higher-impact projects, consultation may also include meetings, residents’ associations, newsletters or other ongoing communication arrangements.

When Should an RBKC SCMP Be Submitted?

RBKC strongly advises that the Site Construction Management Plan and Appendix A checklist are submitted to the Council’s Construction Management Team at least eight weeks before development is due to start, including site preparation works. Development must not commence until the required documents have been approved in writing and the relevant planning condition has been discharged.

Does an RBKC SCMP Require a Section 61 Application?

For Category 1 projects, RBKC requires a Section 61 Prior Consent application under the Control of Pollution Act 1974. The application addresses the proposed construction methods, plant and equipment, working hours, predicted noise levels and the Best Practicable Means that will be used to minimise construction noise.

For Category 2 projects, a Section 61 application must be considered according to the nature and likely impact of the works. Where a Section 61 application is not submitted, the Council may instead serve a Section 60 Notice imposing requirements on how the works are carried out.

What Happens if Section 61 is Not Submitted?

Where a Section 61 Prior Consent application is not submitted, RBKC may use its powers under Section 60 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 to serve a Notice imposing requirements on the construction works. This can control matters such as working hours, plant and machinery, noise levels and the use of Best Practicable Means to minimise disturbance.

Construction Noise Assessment and Monitoring

For Category 1 sites, RBKC will normally require construction noise levels to be assessed and monitored unless otherwise agreed with the Construction Management Team. Where monitoring is required, a baseline noise survey should be undertaken before works commence so that existing ambient noise conditions can be established.

Construction-noise predictions should assess the likely effects of the proposed works at the nearest sensitive premises, taking account of the construction activities, plant and equipment, programme and any activities occurring simultaneously. The assessment should also identify the Best Practicable Means and other mitigation measures proposed to reduce noise impacts.

For Category 1 projects, the noise assessment and monitoring requirements will normally also inform the Section 61 Prior Consent application. Category 2 projects may require noise monitoring where higher-impact activities such as demolition or concrete breaking are proposed.

Air Quality Dust Management and Monitoring

For projects where a detailed air-quality and dust assessment is required, the submission should identify the likely dust risk from demolition, earthworks, construction and trackout activities and set out the measures that will be used to control those impacts.

Depending on the scale and risk of the project, this may include dust monitoring locations, trigger or threshold levels, procedures for recording and reporting results, and arrangements for responding to exceedances. The level of detail required should reflect the construction activities and whether the project is categorised as Category 1 or Category 2.

The RBKC SCMP Approval Process

1. Confirm the Site Category

Establish whether the development is Category 1, Category 2 or Category 3. The final categorisation rests with RBKC’s Construction Management Team.

2. Prepare the Required Documents

For Category 1 and Category 2 projects, prepare the Site Construction Management Plan and Appendix A checklist, together with any CTMP, Section 61 application, noise assessment, dust-management information or other supporting documents required for the project.

3. Submit to the Construction Management Team

Submit the relevant documents to RBKC’s Construction Management Team in sufficient time for review. The Code strongly advises allowing at least eight weeks before the intended start of development.

4. Obtain Approval and Discharge the Planning Condition

Once the Construction Management Team has approved the required documents, the approved material and written approval must be submitted to the local planning authority so the relevant pre-commencement condition can be discharged before works begin.

Submit the SCMP and Appendix A Checklist

For Category 1 and Category 2 projects, the completed SCMP and signed Appendix A checklist should be submitted to RBKC’s Construction Management Team together with any other required supporting documents. The submission should clearly identify the planning application reference and demonstrate how the project will comply with the Code of Construction Practice.

Where a CTMP, Section 61 Prior Consent application, construction-noise assessment or detailed dust-management information is required, these should be coordinated with the SCMP so that the submission presents a consistent construction-management strategy.

Obtain Section 61 Prior Consent Where Required

For Category 1 projects, the Section 61 Prior Consent application should be prepared and submitted in parallel with the SCMP package so that the proposed construction methods, plant, working hours, noise predictions and mitigation measures are consistent across the documents. RBKC requires the application to be received at least 28 days before the relevant works commence.

Respond to RBKC Comments

RBKC’s Construction Management Team may request clarification, amendments or additional supporting information before approving the submission. Any revisions should be coordinated across the SCMP and related documents so that the final package remains consistent.

Obtain Approval and Discharge the Condition

Once RBKC’s Construction Management Team is satisfied with the submission, the approved documents and written approval can be used to support formal discharge of the relevant pre-commencement planning condition.

Can an RBKC SCMP Be Prepared Before a Principal Contractor Is Appointed?

An RBKC SCMP can be prepared before a Principal Contractor has been appointed where sufficient project information is available. In that situation, the document should clearly distinguish confirmed information from assumptions and identify any items that will need to be reviewed or updated once the contractor is appointed.

Once the Principal Contractor is in place, the SCMP should be coordinated with the contractor’s final methodology, programme, plant and equipment, logistics arrangements, licences and site-management procedures before the submission is finalised for approval.

How Seneca Services Can Assist

Seneca Services prepares and coordinates RBKC construction-management documentation for developers, architects, planning consultants and contractors, from planning-stage submissions through to pre-commencement condition discharge.

Depending on the project, our involvement can include:

• Site Construction Management Plans (SCMPs)
• Appendix A Code of Construction Practice checklists
• Construction Traffic Management Plans (CTMPs)
• Neighbour consultation and liaison support
• Construction Noise Assessments and noise/vibration management
• Air Quality Dust Management Plans
• Section 61 Prior Consent applications
• Swept-path analysis and construction logistics drawings, where required

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all RBKC construction projects need an SCMP?

No. Category 1 and Category 2 projects require a Site Construction Management Plan and Appendix A checklist. Category 3 projects do not normally require an SCMP, although the requirements and best-practice measures within the Code of Construction Practice should still be followed.

Do basement projects require an SCMP?

Basement excavation or extension is identified as a Category 1 indicator within the Code of Construction Practice. Category 1 projects require an SCMP, Appendix A checklist, CTMP and Section 61 Prior Consent application before works commence.

Is an SCMP the same as a CTMP?

No. The SCMP addresses the wider construction-management and environmental controls for the site, while the CTMP deals specifically with construction traffic and highway matters such as access, deliveries, loading, parking suspensions and vehicle movements.

Do Category 2 projects require Section 61 Prior Consent?

A Section 61 application must be considered for Category 2 projects according to the nature and likely impact of the works. Where one is not submitted, RBKC may instead serve a Section 60 Notice.

How long should be allowed for RBKC approval?

RBKC strongly advises allowing at least eight weeks for review of the SCMP and Appendix A checklist before the intended start of development. Works must not commence until the relevant documents have been approved and the planning condition has been discharged.

Can an SCMP be prepared before a Principal Contractor is appointed?

Yes. An assumption-led SCMP can be prepared where sufficient project information is available, with contractor-specific details identified for later confirmation and coordination before the submission is finalised.

Need Help With an RBKC SCMP?

If your planning permission requires compliance with the RBKC Code of Construction Practice, Seneca Services can review the condition and project information, confirm the likely submission requirements and prepare or coordinate the SCMP, Appendix A checklist and any related construction-management documentation required for approval.