Site clearance
The process of site clearance is generally undertaken as part of enabling works, carried out to prepare a site for construction. It involves the clearing the site to allow other remedial, treatment or demolition works to take place before the actual construction works can begin.
It involves clearing a site of any machinery or equipment, unwanted surplus materials, rubbish, and so on. Site clearance may also involve clearing away vegetation and surface soil, and levelling and preparing the ground for the planned construction works. Care should be taken to ensure that there are the correct approvals in place, particularly for trees which may be protected.
A site waste management plan (SWMP) may be prepared before site clearance begins. This describes how materials will be managed efficiently and disposed of legally, explaining how the re-use and recycling of materials will be maximised. All types of waste present on the site must be removed safely and efficiently. If there is any contaminated waste or potentially hazardous substances (such as asbestos), professional disposal experts must be consulted to safely handle them.
For more information, see Site waste management plan.
Site clearance might be carried out as part of the main construction contract, or it may be carried out in advance of the main contract, and might be part of a wider contract including other enabling works or facilitating works, such as; demolition works, soil stabilisation works, services diversion, constructing access roads, and so on.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”
Comments