Act of Parliament | |
Long title | An Act to amend the Laws relating to the Construction of Buildings in the Metropolis and its Neighbourhood. |
---|---|
Citation | 18 & 19 Vict. c. 122 |
Territorial extent | "The Metropolis" as defined in the Metropolis Management Act 1855, in England |
Dates | |
Commencement | 14 August 1855 |
Other legislation | |
Amended by | Statute Law Revision Act 1875 |
Text of statute as originally enacted |
The Metropolitan Building Act 1855 (18 & 19 Vict. c. 122) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, concerning standards for buildings within the London "Metropolis", which was separately defined as part of the Metropolis Management Act 1855 passed in the same year. The act was used to regulate the construction, alteration, and safety of buildings within the city, and is the precursor of modern building regulations.
Part I contains which buildings are in scope (which includes all new buildings and alterations to buildings), and sets out rules for the structure and thickness of walls, roofs, chimneys, stairs, and particulars for party walls. It goes on to set a structure for district surveyors, including granting them powers to inspect and enforce the rules. [1]
Part II covers dangerous structures, defining them and giving city commissioners powers to deal with them [1]
Part III goes into detail on party structures [1]
Part IV covers the miscellaneous provisions, particularly around the powers of courts [1]
Part V repeals previous acts [1]
The Metropolitan Board of Works (MBW) was the upper tier of local government for London between 1856 and 1889, primarily responsible for upgrading infrastructure. It also had a parks and open spaces committee which set aside and opened up several landmark parks. The metropolis, which the board served, included substantial parts of Middlesex, Surrey, and Kent throughout the 33 years leading up to the advent of county councils. This urban zone lay around the medieval-sized City of London but plans to enact a similar body in 1837 failed. Parliament finally passed the Metropolis Management Act 1855 which dissolved a short-lived building office and a sewers commission and made the Board effective as of December that year. The board endured until it was succeeded by London County Council, as its directly elected, direct successor, in March 1889.
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