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Publication duties
Some construction consents require a project website. Westminster's Code of Construction Practice makes one mandatory for Level 1 projects. Level 1 means 100 or more homes, or 10,000 sqm or more. The website must stay updated for the works and carry a QR-code link on hoardings. The Dublin Port Alexandra Basin CEMP names a public website as a promoter-led element.
A reference note from Dan Malone, who builds software products.
The rule
“Level 1 projects must provide a project website that is regularly updated throughout the duration of the works. The website URL should be publicised and accessible via QR code displayed on site hoardings and project communications.”
The facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Who must publish a website | Westminster Level 1 projects must provide a project website. Level 1 means 100 or more new residential units, or 10,000 sqm GIA or more. Source |
| When the 2026 code applies | Westminster approved the 2026 code in March 2026. It applies to new sites from 1 June 2026 and to existing sites from 1 September 2026. Source |
| How long the website must run | The website must stay regularly updated throughout the duration of the works, not only at the start of construction. Source |
| Where the address must appear | The URL must be publicised and accessible via a QR code displayed on site hoardings and on project communications. Source |
| Smaller projects | Level 2 projects are not required to maintain a dedicated website. Table 3 marks Project Website as required for Level 1 only. Source |
| Contact board on the hoarding | Every site must display a contact board. It gives key personnel, telephone numbers, email addresses, emergency contacts and the anticipated start and completion dates. Source |
| Newsletter frequency and content | Level 1 and Level 2 projects must issue newsletters at least monthly, unless the Council agrees otherwise. Each one carries progress, a look-ahead of noisy, dusty, vibration or traffic works, and contact details. Source |
| Notify before you submit | Developers must engage all potentially affected stakeholders. The engagement starts a minimum of three weeks before the SEMP or CMP goes to the Council. The code says all feedback received should be clearly recorded. Source |
| Submission deadlines | The SEMP or CMP goes to the Council with Appendix A. Both go in at least 40 working days before the planned start on site. A Section 61 application under the Control of Pollution Act 1974 goes in at least 28 days before commencement. Source |
| What happens on failure | Work that starts before the countersigned Appendix A and the discharged pre-commencement condition breaches the planning permission. Enforcement follows under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Approval can take up to 8 weeks. Source |
| Accessible formats | Inclusive engagement measures are required for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 projects. The code names translations, large print and alternative formats. Source |
| Irish CEMP example | The Dublin Port Alexandra Basin CEMP lists Establish Public Website as a promoter-led element. The project website reports construction progress and the works scheduled over a three month rolling period. Source |
The artefact
What goes wrong
/01
The website goes live, then nobody updates it. The look-ahead still shows works from three months ago.
/02
The QR code on the hoarding points to a sales page for the finished building, not to the construction page.
/03
The hotline number on the website does not match the number on the contact board.
/04
The website appears after work starts, so the three-week pre-submission notification has no address to quote.
/05
Updates go out as PDF newsletters only. Phones and screen readers handle them badly, and no translation exists.
/06
The domain and the hosting sit with a subcontractor who leaves, and the site expires part way through the programme.
/07
Nobody owns the web form, so complaints logged there get no answer and no entry in the complaints log.
Who supplies this
UK community engagement platform, formerly Commonplace. Hosts project pages, map comments and update feeds.
https://zencity.io/uk/
Hosted consultation software used by councils and promoters to publish consultations and keep a public archive of responses.
https://www.delib.net/citizen-space
Hosted engagement site with news, FAQs, forms and subscriber email updates for long-running programmes.
https://www.granicus.com/uk/engagementhq/
Registration and monitoring scheme. Westminster requires Level 1 and Level 2 projects to register with it or an approved equivalent.
https://www.considerateconstructors.com/
Irish planning and environmental consultancy. Runs community liaison and project communications for wind, grid and infrastructure consents.
https://www.mkoireland.ie/
UK infrastructure communications consultancy. Works on consent-stage and construction-stage community engagement.
https://www.copperconsultancy.com
Send the duty, the deadline and where it has to sit. What comes back is a written scope for the page, or a straight answer that you do not need one.
Send the briefLast checked 2026-09-01 · Published 2026-09-01
This page is reference material, not legal advice. Your advisor owns what applies to you.