Our voluntary Considerate Contractor Scheme asks members to commit to a code of good practice over and above the legal minimum requirements. This ensures that construction work doesn't make life unpleasant for people who live and work nearby.
For contractors, adhering to the code improves the reputation of their business, which is an asset when marketing their services.
The scheme has been in operation since 1998. It is part of our objective to promote a high quality and sustainable environment in the city. It's an independent scheme supported by both the Cambridge Forum for the Construction Industry and the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce. It’s not affiliated with the national Considerate Constructors Scheme – it’s therefore possible to register a project with both schemes.
Become a member
If your company would like to become a member of the scheme you can complete a membership application form [PDF, 23Kb].
Inspections
Regular visits are made to all sites participating in the scheme - they are monitored for compliance with the code of good practice. We can provide advice on how to improve performance, and will investigate complaints from the public.
The project officer keeps records of their site visits and details of all of these are made available to the panel of judges who assess the sites for the annual awards.
We encourage you to advise us when projects and actions deserve praise, and also when they do not adhere to the code of good practice.
Enforcement of compliance
We don't have enforcement powers, but we work closely with the local highways authority and other statutory enforcement bodies. This helps us provide a co-ordinated response to complaints as far as possible.
Following a complaint about a site, we will normally discuss the matter with the site manager to try to resolve the problem. If they don't deal with the complaint in a satisfactory manner, we will refer it to the construction company's head office.
Complain about a registered construction project
It's easy to comment or complain about any site or project registered in the scheme:
Alternatively, contact our Construction Monitoring Officer at buildingcontrol@3csharedservices.org or 01223 457121.
If your complaint refers to the public highway, you can report it to Cambridgeshire County Council or the police.
Dust, noise or other nuisance issues may also be referred to planning.enforcement@cambridge.gov.uk.
Signs
Members of the scheme should display Cambridge City Council Considerate Contractor signs at their work locations. They are also required to display contact details in prominent locations.
Membership signs and an information pack for contractors to send to clients are available from the project officer.
Registering a project
- If you're already a member of the scheme, complete a project registration form. [PDF, 82Kb]
Considerate Contractor Awards
Every year we present awards to firms that demonstrate significant efforts to minimise noise and disruption on their building projects. The awards recognise contractors who keep their sites safe and clean in consideration of their neighbours and the public.
In 2021 the top Considerate Contractor Award was presented to Morgan Sindall for their project to construct new student accommodation for Trinity College.
A certificate of excellence was awarded to Barnes Construction for Trinity Hall’s Wong Avery Music Gallery. Another was given to 8Build for a new residential and commercial space at 58 Chesterton Road. The final certificate of excellence was awarded to Cocksedge Building Contractors for Clare College’s new accommodation buildings.
The Works in Progress Award for ongoing projects of more than two years’ duration was presented to SDC Builders Ltd for Project Atria, the construction of the University of Cambridge’s Heart and Lung Research Institute building.
The Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce Award for contractors undertaking small to medium sized projects was presented to the Coulson Building Group for the refurbished United Reformed Church.
Certificates of excellence were awarded to Carmelcrest for their projects at Addenbrooke’s hospital, and to Foster Property Maintenance for their project on Brook’s Road.
