Construction nightmares this Halloween

shutterstock_1786886318

Source: Shutterstock

Skeletons and bats can be a genuine challenge if they turn up on a building project. Tristan Wark and Joanne Kelly explain the legal issues

Love it or hate it, it is hard to deny that Halloween has become increasingly popular in the UK. Whether you will be taking the children trick or treating this 31 October, or attending a costume party, it is difficult to completely avoid the phenomenon (even if just interacting with the shops and businesses promoting the occasion). That said, nobody wants a spooky fright showing up on their construction project.

Skeletons

It is not unusual, depending on a development’s size and location, to encounter human skeletal remains as part of a construction project. Famously, in connection with the Crossrail development for the Elizabeth Line in London, more than 3,000 skeletons were brought to light at one site (the former New Churchyard burial ground used by the Bedlam hospital), and more than 500 skeletons dating back to medieval times were unearthed as part of the development of a leisure centre forming part of Elephant and Castle’s £1.5bn regeneration scheme.

…

This is PREMIUM content, available to subscribers only

You are not currently logged in. Subscribers may LOGIN here.

to access this story

Gated access promo


A subscription will provide access to the latest industry news, expert analysis & comment from industry leaders,  data and research - including our popular annual league tables. You will receive:

  • Print/digital issues delivered to your door/inbox
  • Unlimited access to building.co.uk including our archive
  • Print/digital supplements
  • ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉúTVletters - unlimited access to the stories behind the headlines

now 

 

Get access to premium content