Site information for design and construction
Site information refers to information about a proposed site for a development that might be relevant to the consultant team, contractor or operators of the completed development.
This could include information about:
- Existing uses.
- Existing drawings.
- Site availability.
- Boundaries.
- Covenants, easements, rights of way and rights to light.
- Site history.
- Land registry drawings.
- Planning history.
- Legal searches.
- Insurance details.
- Flood risk.
- Natural drainage.
- Known hazards.
- Contamination.
- Information about neighbours and party wall issues.
- Key views.
- Pedestrian and vehicular access, roads and rights of way.
- Local transport facilities.
- Traffic surveys.
- Site access conditions.
- Information about existing buildings and property condition.
- Information about existing services and statutory utilities (such as capacities).
- Information about tunnels, wells or other underground obstructions.
- Leases.
- Ownership issues.
- Parking restrictions and allowances.
- Existing planning consents, likely planning conditions and the likelihood of requiring an environmental impact assessment.
- Waste storage and collection.
- Biodiversity and protected species.
- Trees and hedges (including tree preservation orders).
- Hours of operation.
- Potential for phasing.
- Local amenities.
- Legislative constraints.
- Existing policies (such as environmental policies).
Wherever possible, any information prepared or obtained should be in a format which can be readily shared and used, and should be stored and named in a way consistent with the long-term project and operational needs.
Some of this information may also be included in the pre-construction information required under regulation 10 of the CDM regulations. This is information intended to ensure that health and safety issues are properly considered, and the proper resources allocated, so the risk of harm to those that build, use and maintain structures is reduced. See pre-construction information for more information.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.